Orsino That of Aldo Manutio who passed to a better life at green yeers consisting of 80 thousand Books We must observe though that Fulvio Orsino in the yeer 1600. added his to the Library of the Pope And that Ascanio Colonna never enough to be praised bought that of Sirleto for 14 thousand Crownes deputing to it intelligent Keepers with honest stipends that it may rather dayly increase then at all diminish The great Duke of Florence his noble Library is known to have good numbers of Greek Books and that of Urbino of Mathematical Writers That of the Malatesti is in Cesena in the Minorites Convent In Bologna that of the preaching Fathers In Venice that of the Republique In Padoua is that of Gio Vicenzo Pinello famous enough but le ts return to the Libraria Vaticana 'T is certainly concluded that the Gentiles usually preserved their Books in the publique Libraries as well as private t is no less evident that the Catholick Church from Christs time to ours had alwaies in divers places sacred Libraries to advantage students wherefore St. Augustine in the Narration which he makes De persecutione Arrianorum in Ecclesia Alexandrina saies that in the Christian Churches there were Libraries and that with the greatest care they preserved their Books and accuseth the impiety of the Arrians amongst other things for their taking away and burning the Books of the Church Saint Jerome likewise makes mention of the same Libraries when writing to Pamachius by his Books against Jovinianus he saies that he kept in the Churches Libraries Eusebius also in his 119 Book at the 11 Chapter writeth that the Church had holy Books in the Oratories and that in Dioclesians dayes to the end the name of Christian might be wholly extinguished the Oratories were overthrowen and the books burnt nor does there want conjectures hereof from the holy Scripture for that Saint Paul writing to Timothy commands him to transport with himself his Books to Rome chiefly those in parchment and in the first to the Corinthians he testifies that in the Corinthian Churches they used to read the Prophetick books Eusebius in his 5 book of the Ecclesiastical history at the 10th Chapter saies that the Apostle Saint Eartholomew going to prea ch the gospel to the Indians left there the Gospel of Saint Matthew writ by his own hand Which very copy Origene afterwards found in the Indies and from thence carryed it as Saint Jerome averrs to Alexandria when he also brought from the East the Canonical books of the old Testament Lastly the Hebrews diligently conserved their sacred books and on every Sabbath read the Books of Moses in their Synagogues wherefore t is reasonable enough to believe that the Christians have alwaies observed their rule of diligently copying and preserving the prophetick books those of the Apostles and those of the Evangelists But the places where these books were layed up were not alwaies called by the same name but sometimes Archiviunt a Treasury of Rolls scrinium a Coffer where evidences were kept Bibliotheca or Libraria a Bibliotheque or Library as in se veral Authors appears Then indubitably they used to lay up in places deputed to that purpose the Memorials of greatest importance the Books of the Bible of the old and new Testament and the Books of the holy Fathers many whereof written by their own Authors through this means have reached our times and will continue to future Ages if God soplease And because the collecting and conserving those books required a great expence as well in writers as Inquisitors and conservators therefore the richest Christians cōmonly contributed every one some proportion and part as a common stock for the Church to have the same effected And in particular we have great obligation to the Emperor Constantine the Great who as Eusebius recounts in his third Book of his life without regard to the vast expence made it his business to collect and secure the sacred Books which in the times of the persecutions the Gentiles had wholy dispersed After which the gathering keeping and choosing Books was particularly the charge of the Bishops and Priests for which end they were wont to maintain Notaries Stationers and Women exercised and skilled in writing as may be gathered from the life of Ambrosius and of Origene Among all other Collectors of Books Pantenius the Master of the Alexandrian School is esteemed the most diligent likewise Pamfilo the Priest and Martyr as Eusebius relates instituted and governed with great industry a fair Library placing there the Books of Origene and such other good Books as he could get written by the hand of which Caesarean Library St. Jerom against Rufinus takes notice Furthermore Alexander the Bishop of Jerusalem got together a good quantity of Books as of Betillus Hippolitus Caius and other Ecclesiastical writers and with them composed a worthy Library as Eusebius testifies who also confesseth himself to have been assisted by the said Alexander in his own Ecclesiastical History And not to omit the diligence of some of later times in the like work le ts remember that Pope Clement the first successor to St. Peter who wrote many Epistles profitable to the Roman Church deputed seaven Scriveners in the seaven praecincts of Rome who were maintained out of the Churches Revenne for no other thing then diligently to search out and write the Acts of the martyrs And Anicetus the Pope made it his business to find out a secure place for the laying up the lives of the Martyrs wrote by those Scriveners Pope Fabianus ordained seaven Deacons for supervisors to those Notaries to take the better care in executing the charge of collecting and true recital of the Martirs lives Of which Scriveners the Actions of the Roman Councel under Silvester give good testimony Pope Julius successor to Marcus who followed Sil. determined that the said Notaries abovenamed should diligently gather together whatever appertained to the amplifying and fortifiing of the holy Catholick Faith that all the things by them writ should be revised by the Primicerio or chief created to that purpose who afterwards was to place and keep in the Church what he had approved Pope Hilary was the first known that built a Library who erected two near the Founts of the Laterano wherein for that in those times there were but few Books and they at great price because wholly written by the hand he caused the writings of the Roman Church the decretal Epistles of Popes the Actions of the Counsels the recantations and opinions of the Hereticks and the Books of the holy Fathers to be layed up and preserved for the publique use of the Christians But to return to our purpose of the Vatican Library we must know that beside the abovenamed Libraries the Popes used so great diligence in collecting books as they put together one greater than the two former in the Popes Palace on the Laterano which remained there about one thousand yeers till Clement the 5th translating
the World and singular sculptures than with collections of Brass Figures Marbles Medals and other exquisite things both natural and artificial which with the said Palace are now possessed by Signor Gasparo Mantoua Doctor of Physick and Nephew of the abovenamed Marco Luigi Coradino Doctor of Philosophy and of the Laws heretofore Reader of the Digests or Volums of the Civil Law in the University a man of a most quick wit and polite Learning an excellent disputant and particularly conversant in antiquities made a noble collection of Books Pictures Sculptures Medals antique Brass and Marble Tablets and other rarities which for the most part are enjoyed by the Signor Andrea his Son Doctor of Philosophy and Physick and Reader in the College a Virtuoso who conserves them in their Antient House in the Street called Torecelle Gio Domenico Sala Doctor of Philosophy and Physick most renowned for having been so many yeers Reader in the University and for having exercised his Profession of Physick with a known reputation In his Palace which stands in the Street called San Lorenzo hath set up a Study replenished with Books Pictures Marbles Brass pieces Medals and other pretious rarities and in particular he hath there a large and neat Press with shelves all made with Walnut Tree filled with Vessels of Christal with all the simple minerals and other rare and exquisite things which were collected by the Signor Conte Giacomo Zabarella Doctor Reader of the College and Canon of Padoua after whose death coming to the hands of Signor Bonifacio Zabarella his Brother they were by him given to the above-named Signor Gio Domenico in testimony of being his great Friend and Ally as a gift of most singular estimation Benedetto Salvatico Knight a Philosopher and Physician and chief Reader of the University a most signal person no less for his Reading than eminency in Physick hath restored near the Domo or chief Church his Palace making there a most stately Gallery gardens with Fountains Voleries and a thousand other excellencies besides his books and Pictures The Signor Conte Giacomo Zabaralla Count of Credazza and of the Empire a most renowned and vituous Person hath so much laboured in the study of History and Antiquities that meritoriously by the Learâ—…edst Pens he is styled the Restorer of Antiquity and renewer of things devouted by time being as well read in the Genealogie of Princes and other Illustrious Families a work as may be said without compare Besides that he hath found out the Invention to blason Coaâ—…s of Gentility to a great perfection with the right Linage and the equal compartments The works composed by him give a sufficient assurance that a high value is justly put upon him whereof are extant the Genealogie of Antenore Agamemnon Trasea Peto Orontio Stella Brandeburgica Polonica Auraica and the Universal Genalogie of those Princes and of many Illustrious Families the relation of so many Originals of Gentility the Histories of Conterina Cornera Zena Quirina Bemba Michiela and other his histories of the City and Families of Padoua the glories of Venice with many discourses Orations Elogies and other workes much esteemed by the Learned He hath in the Street called Coda the whole length of his Palace erected a most noble Library wherein besides that there are great Quantities of Books of Histories of Humanity and other Learning all most choice so also are there a good number of Manuscripts in Paper and Parchment whereof many are set in gold with exquisite Limning in Vermillion many whereof were never printed whose very Originals he is Master of Moreover he hath the Chronicles of Padoua as well those that are in print as in manuscript as also many of Venice and other Cities And besides these in a Press of Nut-Tree of a notable Largeness and Workmanship he hath collected many Marbles Brass pieces and other things natural and Artificial Antient and Modern of great value as also a quantity of antient Medals and of the later Princes both of Gold and Silver and other Metals which are of a sufficient valew besides many rare Pictures by the hand of the chief Men of the past Ages and the authentique pourtraies of Francesco Cardinal Bartolomeo Paulo Archbishops Orlando and Lorenzo Bishops all of the house of Zabarella and likewise of the Counts Giaccomo the elder Giulio and Giacomo the Philosopher and of other eminent men of his house He also preserves the great privileges granted to his house by many Popes Emperors Kings and Princes with the Key of gold given by Massiminian the first Emperor to the said Count Giacomo his Ancestors he likewise preserves many Antient and notable Seals of his Ancestors wherewith they used to seal the privileges of those Counts Knights Doctors and Notaries which were created by them together also with many other most incomparable excellencies both concerning his own Family and many others Monsignior Giacomo Filippo Tomassini Bishop of Citta Nova in the Street called Ponte de Tadi hath his Palace restored and signalized by the Signor Paulo his Brother long since Doctor of Laws and the first Advocate of his Age in his Countrey lately deceased with a universal sorrow This Signor is generally esteemed for a most virtuous person a Philosopher a Divine an Astrologer an Historian and a Humanist in all which he hath justified his Judgment by those most Elegant Books he hath wrote upon all these subjects so much approved by the Virtuous His Study excels no less in Books Pictures Medals and other things of valew Than in the signal Library of the works of the Lawes left him by his said Brother The Signor Conte Giovanni de Lazara Knight of the Order of Saint Stephen Son to the Signor Conte Nicolo Knight of the same Order hath no less honoured his Country by his Nobility and Virtue than for his eminency in the knowlege of the Antiquities of it and many other Countreys whereto he hath added a Collection of divers manuscripts of great esteem as also a good quantity of Medals and other things of price among which the antient Seal of the Padouan Republick whereof Scardevone in the 12 folio takes notice is greatly valued Besides on one side of his Palace which is one of the fairest of the City he hath drawn a Border whereon are set the Pourtraies of many Lords and Princes the Predecessors and Parents of his Family The Signor Sartorio Orsato Doctor in Philosophy and Physick Son of the Signor Orsato Knight of Saint Mark an eminent Subject in his Countrey is a young Student not less read and expert in Philosophy and Physick than in History Humanity and Antiquities and in his brave house in the Street of Saint Francesco hath made a Collection of the best Books and squares with a good number of Medals Marbles brass pieces and other singularities of great Price who having composed several works both in Prose and verse as well in the Latine as Italian Language to add to the fame and beauty of
French San Giacomo for the Spaniards San Tomaso for the English San Pietro for the Hungarians Santa Brigida for the Swedes San Giovanni and San Andrea for the Dutch San Giovanni Battista for the Florentines San Giovanni Battista near the Banks of the Tyber for the Genâ—…veses instituted â—…nd endowed by Media dusto Cicala besides many houses both for poor and Orfanes of which no particular Catalogue is set down least filling the volume with the less conside rable we leave not space for the more observable things in Rome In the Popes Palace called the Vatican are the Libraries The one contains selected choice books alwaies shut up The other two filled with Latin and Greek Books written by the Pen in parchment are as much open and free to any students for two hours in the day which were furnished by Pope Nicholas the 5th And now there is a new one collected by Pope Sistus the 5th The Inscriptions Pictures and Verses of which were made publique by the judicious Pen of Angelo Rocca Bishop of Tagasta Some other Libraries in Rome are worthy notice to wit that of Santa Maria del Popolo Of Santa Maria soprala Minerva Of Santo Agostino of Vallicola of Saint Andrea and of the Jesuists Colledge besides three others which at the siege and sacking of Rome were robbed or burnt The Popes Gardens where Persons of Quality have free ingress together with the houses and Gardens of the Cardinals and other noble Persons of Rome yeeld ample solace aud recreation to the Lovers of Antiquity by their great varieties in those particulars These Pallaces omitting many others deserve a serious and timely visit to wit that of the Family of the Conservadori nel Campi doglio of the Massini of the Busali of the Rucellai of the Furnesi of the Colonne the Mattei Cevoli and Borghesi together with the Pallace Latterenense royally repaired by Pope Sistus the 5th The City Rome was antiently divided into nineteen Praecincts or Wards whereof at present remain but these 14. de Monti della Colanna del Ponte del Arenula della Rogola della Pigna del Capitello di Transtevere di ..... del Campo Martio di Sant Eustachio di Sant Angelo della Ripa del Borgo The six stones Bridges built over the Tevere or Tyber are these Ponte Molle or Milvio two miles distant from the City without the Porta del 〈◊〉 Ponte Angelo or Elio antiently Ponte Gianiculese built by Pope Sistus Ponte Saint Bartolemeo or Costio Ponte Maria Egittiaca or Palatino and Ponte dei quatro Capi formerly called Fabritio when also there was one more called Sublicio whose Pyles are yet to be seen near the Aventine hills and another called Triumfale whose pyles appear at San Spirito The Waters wherewith the City is supplyed are these L'acqua virgine which runs through the Campo Martio the work of Pope Nicholas the 5th l'Alsietina restored by Innocent the 8th for the Vatican La Salonia canducted at the cost of Pius the 4th besides which many others waters were conveyed by Gregory the 13th by others in antient times The Piazzaes in Rome are many but those of most note at this day are La Piazza Vaticana La Navona La Giudea and La Fiore The new Porticues or open Galleries which are the chief are three viz That della Benedittione That in the Vatican Palace fronting the Piazza and the Cerridore towards Belvedere The Piazza or market place for Fish stands now where in former time it was That for the Hoggs Oxen Cows Sheep c. where antiently was the Foro Romano The Bakers have four Piazzaes and conjoyned with them are the Shambles in the Piazza Novaâ—…a every Wednesday is held a great Market The Hills are very little inhabited the ruines of old structure rendring the Ayr so unwholsome as to be only fit for Gardens or Vineyards not dwelling Houses Pope Sistus the 5th caused many fair streets to be drawn by a Line The residing Palace of the Pope stands contiguous with the Church of Saint Pietro wherein are contained many stupendious things as the Chapel of Pope Sistus the Paulina replenisht with the excellent pictures of Michael Angelo Bonarota a Florentine so compleat perfect and exact that t were the glory of this age to find a modern Painter could approach then in art or Similitude Besides which his Holiness hath Retreats for the Summer as one near San Marco another near Santa Maria Maggiore a third near the Fontana de Trevi but the most favoured and therefore most ordinary retirement is Monte Cavallo heretofore called Quirinale The Palaces of the Cardinals are disperst up and down the City as aforesaid The houses of the Citizens are not despicable either in Structure Antiquities Pictures and other noble Houshouldstuff or Fountains The Castle Saint Angelo or Mole d'Adriano is a fair strong Cittadel alwaies furnished with all warlike provisions Herein they solemâ—…ize great Feasts and Holy dayes three times in the yeer with the discharging of all the great Guns and Fireworks To wit on the Festival day of San Pietro Paolo the second is celebrated annually on the day whereon the immediate Pope is selected to the Pontifical Chair the third on the day the said immediat Pope is crowned The Guard of which Castle is committed to some Person of Quality who is understood to have compleated his Charge and Government at 7 yeers end and is then comonly rewarded with a Cardinals â—…ap or some thousands of Crowns The Aqueducts of the old Romans with their conserves for waters were many but that of Acqua Claûdia was composed with so much Art and at so vast expence that but only to repair and restore it to its antient form cost five hundred and sixty Talents besides which there was l'acqua Martia Aless andrina Giulia Augusta Sabbatina Appia Traiana Tepula Alsietina di Mercurio della Virgine del'Aniene the old and Antoniane the new and others together with infinite Baths as le Anliane le Variane le Titiane le Gordiane le Novatiane le Agrippine le Alexandrine le Manliane le Dioclesiane le Deciane those Bathes appropriate to Trajan Philip Adrian Nero Severus Constantine Farnus Domitian and Probus with many others The Piazzaes also in those days were divers a Sla Romana that of the Pistory of Caesar of Nerva of Trajan of Augustus of Salustus of Dioclesian of Enobarbus and the Esquilina wiâ—…h those particularly used for Herbs Beasts Fish Sheep Hoggs Bakers for the Countrey market people and the Transitoria The Triumphal Arches which are most famous follow of Romulus of Claudius of Titus Vespasian of Constantine of Lucius Settimius Severus of Domitian of Trajan of Fabianus of Gordianus of Galienus of Tiberius Theodosius and Camillus The Amphitheatres named were these that of Stafilius Taurus of Claudius and that of Titus Vespasian which was capacious enough for one hundred and fifty thousand persons The Theatres these that of Scaurus Pompejus Marcellus Balbus and Caligula The Circi or
the Apostolick Sea into France with it carryed the said Library in the Laterano to Avignon in France which continued there about 120 yeers till the difference was appeased between the Catholicks Pope Martin the 5th caused the said Library to be reconveyed to Rome placing it in the Vatican where his S. had then chosen and setled his Residence where they were disposed confusedly without any order and a good part lost Whereto Sixtus the 4th having regard it appearing to him insupportable that so great a quantity of books should go to ruine through ill government he built a place on purpose for them adorning it by all possible means placing them methodically and adding such other Books as he could come by and ordered the Officers deputed to that end to govern them with diligence endowing it with a hundred Crowns a yeer in perpetuity being the donative which the Colledge of writers of the Pontifical Letters was used to make the Popes yeerly and this was bestowed on the Library Keepers for their diligence and pains This then is the Vatican Library filled with the most choise Books that could be had a great part written in parchment with the pen others printed and their number exceeds six thousand books Antiently the President of this Library was called Librario then Cancellario whose office was to collect with diligence not only the Books but also to copy the Bulls the Popes decrees the Acts and Constitutions of the Synods and to keep every thing exactly because it appeared convenient that the Cancellario or as he is now called the Secretary of the Pope should have the managing and preserving of the Books the Library being in those dayes as t were the Office of the Secretary or Chancery but in our times the Offices of the Chancery and of the Library are divided They used to elect Men of the greatest knowledge and of good life for Presidents of the Library as Anastasius in the Life of Pope Gregory the second relates which Gregory he saies was first President there who being sent to Constantinople by Pope Constantine to the Emperor Justinian the second and being questioned by him he answered learnedly and the Bibliothecary in the life of the said Gregory the second saies that he was from a boy brought up in the Lateranian palace and being made Deacon by Pope Sergius took upon him the charge of the Library at last Sixtus the 4th on the 10 day of July 1475. being the sixth of his Papacy created a perpetual Keeper to the Vatican Library investing him in that Office by his Bull. Bartolomeo Platina of Cremona the Apostolick writer and familiar of Sixtus the fourth was the first president to the Vatican Library for which service he had 10 Crowns per Month for his maintenance besides provision for his own Table with 3 servants and one horse and the ordinary Vails which the popes usually allowed to their Familiants as Wood Salt Oyl Vinegar Candles Brooms and other the like things Bartolomeo Manfredo a Bolonian Doctor of the Canons was by Sixtus the 4th annno 1481 in the 11th of his Popedome elected to that Charge in lieu of the deceased Platina This Manfredo was a Familiar acquaintance of the Popes and wonderfully learned And to add splendor to this Office the Pope ordained that the Presidents of the Library for the future should be the first Squires of the Roman Popes for ever and should receive the accustomed honors and profits first giving security to the Apostolick Chamber of ten thousand Duckats and taking an Oath to keep faithfully and diligently the Library After Manfredo these following were successively created Christophoro Persona a Roman Prior of Santa Balbina in anno 1484. Giovanni Gionisii a Venetian in anno 1487. A Spaniard who was Arch deacon of Barcellona in anno 1492. Possibly this was that Girolamo Paolo Cathalano Canon of Barcellona Doctor of both Laws who was Chamberlain of Alexander the sixth whose books set forth and communicated the Practise of the Roman Chancery printed anno 1493. being the second of the third Alexander Giovanni Fonsalia a Spaniard Bishop of Iteran in anno 1493. Volaterano Arch Bishop of Ragusa anno 1505. Tomaso Ingeranni or Fedra Volaterano anno 1510. Filippo Beroaldo a Bolonian 1516. Zenobio Azziaiolo a Florentine of the preaching order 1518. Girolamo Alexandro dell Mota Arch Bishop Brundusian Cardinal 1537. Augustino Stenco Eugubino Bishop of Chiama Marcello Cervino of Monte Pulciano Priest Cardinal of the holy cross in Jerusalem was created by Paul the third He would not accept the stipend nor the four sportule or Fees usually given to the Presidents of the Library but distributed those emoluments to the two Latin Correctors and to him whose charge was to find out and place the Books Roberto de Nobili of Monte Pulciano Dean Cardinal with the Title of Santa Maria in Dominica was created by Paul the fourth anno 1555. Alfonso Caraffa Dean Cardinal of Santa Maria in Dominica created by Paul the fourth Anno 1558. Marc Antonio Amulio Priest Cardinal a Venetian Anno 1565. Guglielmo Sirleto Priest Cardinal of Calabria the 20th day of May Anno 1582. Antonio Caraffa Priest Cardinal with the Title of San Giovanni and Paulo a Neapolitan Anno 1585. Guglielmo Alano Priest Cardinal an English man created by Clement the 8th Anno 1591. Marc Antonio Colonna Bishop Cardinal created by the same Clement Anno 1594. Antonio Saulio Priest Cardinal created by the same Clement Anno 1597. And because t was imposible for one single person to give sufficient attendance to the government of so many Books the same Sixtus the fourth gave to the President of the Library two other perpetual Keepers persons of good Faith and diligence to assist in that charge allowing to each 3 crowns salary per Moneth and his Dyet and the other abovenamed perquiâ—…its as also for one servant The first of which were Giovanni Caldelli a Clerk of Lyons and Pietro Demetrio of Luca who was Reader in the Popes common Hall created the 10th yeer of Sixtus his papacy the first the 29th of April the second the first of May. Demetrio being dead Julius the second the sixth of July in the eighth yeer of his Pontificacy created Lorenzo Parmenio priest of the Chamber This pope the 23d of August in the first yeer of of his Popedome granted a Load of Charcoals weekly to the said Keepers but now for the whole yeer is allowed but 24 Load only In the yeer 1535. Fausto Sabeo a Brescian Poet and Nicolo Magiorano Hidronteno succeeded these the latter of whom being created Bishop of Mancpoli him succeeded Guglielmo Sirleto and him his Brother Girolamo Sirleto Federigo Ronaldo Valnease being created prothonotary followed Sabeo and Marin Ronaldo Brother of the said Federigo succeeded to Girolamo Sirleto Furthermore the same Sixtus that nothing might be wanting to the compleating the splendor of the pontifical Library created three with the denomination of exquisite writers the one in
present a religious Person and a lover of Learned men BASSANO FRom Trento the way lies to Bassano travelling towards the East by the Valley of Sugana called by the Antients Euganea because a People of that name dwelt there This Plain is eighteen miles in length and two only in bredth whence you may go to Venice but 't is too long a journey Five Miles forth of Trent is situated the rich and populous Countrey of Perzene At the Head of the Valley near Primolano are the confines between the Venetians and Germans Upon the high Mountain of Primolano is there built a most strong Bulwark of the Venetians called Strada where a few Souldiers can repel the Dutch when ever they offer by violence or force to advance forwards At twelve miles distance from thence towards the East among the Alps is the City of Feltre by the which way at the right-hand-shore of the River Brent three miles distance from Scala is seated Cavolo a Fort of the Germans inexpugnable in respect that 't is founded upon a great Rock directly hanging over the high-way with a Fountain of living water in it whereto neither Man nor Goods can be mounted from the Earth unless fastned to a Rope and that wound up upon a wheel from which because 't is a very narrow way underneath between the Mountain and the River with small labour may their enemies be slain with Stones cast on them as they march along Thence five miles distant is the River Cisimone wch disembogues it self into the Brenta where the Dutch and Feltrini daily load great quantities of Timber and Wood as well for the use of Building as for firing which they afterwards transport to Bassano to Padoua and to Venice Seven miles distant from Bassano on the Right-hand-shore of the Brent lies the Countrey of Valstagna placed at the foot of the Mountains and famous for the Sawes there made thence distant three miles lies the Countrey of Campese where in the Church of the Fryers of Saint Benedict lies buried he that wrote la Macharonea Bassano lies at the foot of this streight Valley and is washed towards the West by the Brent called antiently Brenta or Brentesia the which hath its Sourse or head beyond the Alps of Trent twelve miles near Levego Over the Brent a little forth of the Gate of Bassano is built a great Bridge of Wood which conjoyns both the Rivers Between the Alps and this Castle there are some Hills which produce most abundantly all things requisite as well for necessary living as delicacy but most particularly they abound with Olives and precious Wines The River Brenta runs thorow the Territory of Vicenza passeth by the City of Padoua and in the end dischargeth it self by the Fenny or Moorish grounds into the Sea In this River they take excellent Fish as Trouts Pollard or Chieven Eyles Pyke Tench Lampreys Barbel and Crabfish In no place are the men more ingenuous in Merchandize than in this particularly in weaving of Cloth in turning most neatly in Ivory and in Carving in Nut-Trees There is never a year that they dress less than fifteen thousand pound weight of Silk and notwithstanding that that which is made in China is esteemed better than is made in any other part of the world nevertheless 't is known that this of Bassano is more subtile or thin and more light Hence the Family of the Carrareci drew their Original and Eccellino the Tyrant as also Lazaro surnamed Bassano a person not meanly learned nor less acquainted in the Greek tongue than in the Latine he lived a long time in Bologna with great satisfaction to the learned afterwards he rendred himself at Padoua to the end that he might illuminate those who were studious of good Letters At present Giacomo dal Ponte an excellent Lymner greatly illustrates this Country together with four of his Sons called vulgarly the Bassani Bassano hath under it twelve Towns which with it self contein to the number of twelve thousand Souls MAROSTICA AT three miles distance from Bassano towards the West is seated a strong place named Marostica a Castle built by the Lords of Scala near the Mountain and fortified with Walls and two Sconceâ—… Antiently this Castle stood in the neighbouring Mountain which looks towards the East where at this time are to be seen the Foundationâ—… Here the Air is most perfect and the Countrey as pleasant and produceth excellent fruits in great abundance but it most excels in Cherries of all sorts which are so infinitely pleasant and so well â—…elished that therefore in many places they are called Marosticane There are many Fountains of clear Water and thence about two miles is a Lake called Piola whose waters abate and rise in the same manner as they in the Golf of Venice with great admiration to the beholders The Inhabitants of this Castle are extreme contentious whereupon an Elegant Poet wrote thus Restat in Civibus Marii discordia vetus Quae cum Syllanis saevit in urbe viris Within this Castle are many Churches among which is that of Saint Bastiano where the Fryers of Saint Francis dwell wherein lies the Body of the blessed Lorenzuolo the Child Martyred by the wicked Jews who antiently there inhabited Francesco of the Family of the â—…reschi hath much illustrated this Castle who publickly Read the Civil Law in Padoua and likewise Angelo Mateaccio who hath composed some Books of the Laws At this present adds no small Fame to this his Countrey Prospero Alpino the most excellent Physician publique Reader of the first matter of Simples in the Academy of Padoua who hath written De plantis AEgypti De Opobalsamo and De Praesagienda vitâ—… morte AEgrotantium lately published And is now employed besides his publick Reading in composing and ripening some other noble Work for publick view Thorow the middle of this Castle runs the little River called Rozza whence about a mile passeth the Sillano so called because in Antient Language it signified a Stream of running water 'T is believed that the Antient Romans much frequented this Place for that the Inhabitants to this day retain certain Latine words though something corrupted Before the Church of Saint Floriano stand two Marble Stones of great antiquity upon the one whereof is written thus TI Claudio Caes. M. Salonius ⸫⸫ es Martina Chara Conjux quae Venit de Gallia per mansiones L. Vi commemoraret memoriam Mariti sui Bene quiescas duleissime mi Marite TREVISO THe Antient City of Treviso is situated on the East of and at the distance from Bassano twenty five miles This City was founded by Osaride the third King of the Greâ—…ans who being adopted Son of Dionisius therefore conceded unto him AEgypt and Reigned in Italy ten years And because after his death there appeared to the AEgyptians an Ox they supposing it to be their King Osiris worsnipped it as a God and called it Apâ—… which in their language signifies an Ox for which reason
Colleges where are allowed honourable Pensions to many Scholars The first College stands in the Street Santo called Prattense deriveing its name from its Founder Pileo Conte di Prata Cardinal and Bishop of Padoua in which are appointed 20 Scholars Padouans Venetians Trivisans and Furlans with a Prior or Governor who heretofore kept a Coach The Scholars pensions were 20 Crowns per Moneth and more but the Merchants Banke of Venice who usually payed them being of late lessened at present besides their Lodging and Service they have but ten Crowns by the yeer The Cardinal committed the Government thereof to Francesco Zabarella his Nephew and after his death to the most antient of his house and of that of the Family di Leone recommending it also to the care and overseeing of the successive Bishops of Padoua and to the Prior of the College of the Professors of the Laws The second called Spinello à Ponte Corvo instituted by Belforte Spinello of Naples is governedby the Priors of the Masters of Art by the most Antient of the house of Doctors where are maintained four Scholars Masters of Arts for five yeers two Padouans one Trevisan and another Stranger each of whose allowance is twenty five Duckats by the yeer The third named da Rio built in the street so called and instituted by that Family consists of 4 Scholars Masters of Arts approved by the most antient of that family their stay is permitted for 7 yeers their allowance is Lodging Rooms Bread and Wine with twelve Duckats and they ought to be of Padoua or its Territories The Fourth called del Campione situated in the borgo di Vignal is for nine Scholars in the Arts two Padouans two Trivisans two Farraresians two French men and one other Foreiner and for seaven yeers they are allowed Wheat Wine Wood Service Lodging and some moneys The Patrone or Master is the Abbot of Saint Ciprian of Muran The fifth named Santa Cantarina is submitted to certain Noble Venetians and hath for Scholars in the Arts. 16 who have Corn Wine Money Salt Lodgings and Service allowed in a handsome proportion for seaven years The sixth dedicated to Santa Lucia by the Brescians conteyns 6 Scholars in the sciences chosen by the Communalty of Brescia their allowance is 25 Duckats a peece with their Lodging and service defrayed The seaventh called Feltrino founded in the Street Santo is governed by the nobles of the family of Altini in feltre the continuance of the Scholars who must be students in the Laws is seaven yeers their number is but two Scholars and one-Artist they have for allowance a quantity of Wheat being 16 measures for each and 10 Mastellaes of Wine with their Lodgings The eighth built in the Street San Leonardo named del Ravenna is put under the tuition of Piavano di S. Giulano di Venetia the Scholars have Lodging Rooms Services and one Duckat allowed by the yeer for each The ninth in the Viginali called Cocho is for Six Noble Venetians each ones allowance being Lodging Service and 40 Duckats yeerly The tenth called Amulio near the Pratto della vallae is for 12 Scholars Noble Venetians founded by Marco Antonio Amulio Cardinal and every Scholar is allowed Lodging Rooms his services are payed and six Duckats by the year The third notable and marvellous Temporal Rarity of Padoua is the Piazza or place caled the Arena which is a noble Court round about which stands the old Arches and Vestigia of a proud Theatre which by the antients was called Naumachia but of later yeers they use it to run a Tilt and for all manner of horsemanship with many other games the Ladies standing to behold them in the open Casements of that proud Palace which stands at the head of the Court in a Lunary form the Arena or Court being Oval Backwards towards the Wall are gardens filled with Vines and pretious Fruits as also on that side which is towards the Church of the Hermits with a small Chapel dedicated to the holy Virgin which is also a Priorate of the house of Foscarie and belonging to that serene Family of Venice The fourth marvellous object is the Court of the Captain or Governour of the City where the Proud Palace of the said Praefect the Chamberlains and many other Citizens habitations besides the dwelling of a world of other People are so contrived that it may not improperly be called a little Cittadel This was the Kingly house of the Carraresi Its Chambers may truly be said to be built for Princes with two halls which for their Largeness and Nobleness could not be built for other the one is Called the Hall of Giants wherein stands the publick Library here are pourtrayed the most eminent Subjects of the Roman Republick of the World with a representation of their most famous Acts by the hand of Gualterio a most eminent Lymner with their Elegies under each figure heretofore composed by the most virtuous Giovanni di Cavazzi a gentlemā of Padoua and inscribed in a signal Character by Pietro Francesco Pucivigiano called the Moor The Books conteyned in the said Library are most excellent and in great abundance The signor Gio Battista Salvatico Doctor Knight and a Gentleman of Padoua bequeathed to it by his Testament his Collection of the Books of the Laws of a great valew The signor Giacomo Caino a Gentleman of Furlan Doctor and Reader in the College hath likewise given to it the Library of Pompeo Cacino a Physician his Uncle of no less esteem The signor Conte Giacomo Zabarella hath added to it a brave quantity of Manuscripts some writ in parchment others in paper bound in Leather Lymned with Vermillion and Gold rarely and exquisitely some whereof were never Printed amongst which are the workes of Cardinal Zabarella of the Count Giacomo Zabarella his Grandfather of Philosophy of the Count Francesco his Father which are in rime and prose in the Tuscan Tongue very learned and treating of many subjects concerning his own Family Therein also are the Works of Cesare Cremonio the Philosopher and many other bought at the Publick cost and others added there by the Signor Ottavio Ferrari a Gentleman of Milan Reader of Humanity in the Schools and the publick Library Keeper which Library is every day so increased by the Nobility and others that t is well hoped within a little time t will arrive to the Reputation of the richest and most famous in the World The fifth wonder is the Castle for the Munition above named near the Church of Saint Agostino which was built by the Tyrant Eccellilino for his safeguard wherein he slew so many Noble Padouans that he had almost destroyed the whole City herein are the publick Granaries to maintain plenty in the City and all sorts of Ammunition for its defence in time of need The sixth admirable thing is the Ponte Molino so called from the thirty wheels of Mills there erected a most signal Object and the five Arches of flint Stone
a certain exorcism which if malignity proceeded in a natural course of Physick would not only require the best skill but length of time Whosoever reads the 36th Ch. of the 6th Book of Diosc. and those other Tractates writ on that infirmity may comprehend how great this miracle is Mathioli in the cited fol. of Diosc. owned the success and willing to deduce it from some natural cause saith that possibly these Priests might intermix some medicinal herb or secret with that bread which they are wont to bless for Dog-bitten Mad Persons but this may easily be answered For this Church is governed by two poor Priests who many times desert it nor are they of a selected condition and t were strange if since the time of Saint Bellino to this day none should arrive therebut he must bring that medicinal secret with him Secondly they give but one little morcel of that blessed bread to a person and it can scarce be imagined enough of the medicine should be conteyned in so small a parcel of Bread for so wonderfully a dangerous disease Thirdly the Nuns of Saint Fetro in Padoua have an antient Key which was San Bellinoes which Key heated and its sign made on the head of the mad Dogg he never after that is troubled with the least sign of madness Which being t is necessarily conluded and the Physicians must pâ—…r force confess that t is a pure Miracle wrought by God at the intercession of San Bellino who by the instigation of certain evil People was torn in pieces by Doggs and his glorious Corps layed up in the said Church of Polesene Desiring to go to Ferrara First they take the way Rosati till they arrive at the Poe which passing by Bark they reach Francolino a County some five miles from Ferrara VICENZA VIcenza is now seated in the Marca Trivigiana or the Marquisate of Ireves It was built according to Livie Justine and Paulo Diacono by the Galli Senoni who fell down into Italy in the Reign of Tarquinius Priscus in Rome giving the name of Gallia Cisalpiâ—…a to that part possessed by them But Strabo Pliny and Polybâ—…s will have it to be founded by the Antient Tuscans and that it was one of the twelve Cities under their dominion on this side of the Apenines and that it was much encreased and amplified by the Galli Senones When afterwards the Cities thereabouts performed good service for Omnipotent Rome at the descent of other French men in the yeer 366. into Italy and at their Assayling of Rome Vicenza being one of them in recompence of their assistance so oportunely contributed was created Municipal a Free City whence exercising their own Laws and Statutes they participated of the honours and dignities of Rome and thence t is we find so many of its Citizens in the Magistracy of that grand Republick among others Aulus Cecinna the Consul was General of the Army of Vitellius the Emperour In whose honour because he so much surpassed the fame of an ordinary Citizen It will not be impertinent to place here this following antient inscription A Caecinnae Felicis Viteliani exercit Imp. Ob Virtutem munus Gladi atorum apud se exhibitum Cremona To it was allotted also the Title of Republick and City as is to be seen in many antient Marble Stones up and down the Countrey and t was assigned to the Tribe Menenia It was under the protection of Brutus and Cicero as appears in his familiar Epistles and in this antient inscribed memorial D. Bruto M. Tullio Viris in Senatu contra Vernas optimè de se meritis Viceut All the time the Roman Empire continued in its Grandezza it ever followed the victorious Eagle which decaying this also suf fered much Calamity and underwent those mutations which it and all the Cities of Italy groâ—…ned under with miserable example Not at all nevertheless declining from its antient Vigour and Reputation Whence it was that the Longobardi held it very considerable and assigned to it It s own particular Dukes and Counts Those Governours calling themselves by that Title for that they continued for life and to their Heirs masculines after them Of one of whom Paolo Diacono makes a noble record in the life of Leon the Emperor which was Peredeo Duke of Vicenza who marched to Ravenna in assistance to the Pope and there dyed fighting valiantly for his Holiness This City was by Desiderio the last King of the Longobardi selected amongst all his to place securely his Son Aldigerio when himself was besiged in Pavia by Charles the great but it avoided not its total destruction The Reliques of its antient Theatre which at this day demonstrate themselves in the Gardens of the Signori Pigafetta and Gualdi wherein both the Kings of the Longobardi and those of France often sate to behold the publick shewes and Games And the fragments of the hot Bathes with the Pilasters for the Aqueducts give sufficient testimony that it had no defect of whatsoever either for Ornament or magnificence other famous Cities use to enjoy And at that time when Loâ—…arius the Emperor endeavoured in Rome in the yeer 825 to reform the occasion of the Feudes and to that end convocated the principal Lawyers of the primary Cities of Italy He also invited the Vicentine Counsellors with an honourable testimony of what esteem he had for the City Vicentia Furthermore when Ottone King of Germanie the Berengarii being overcome and discomfited was by the Pope crowned Emperor he remised the Italian Cities in Liberty granting unto them Power to elect their Podestà or chief Governour and to enjoy their own Laws among the rest Vicenza participated of that so great a gift Whence forming a Carrocio or Chariot which was the Badge of a free City and acknowleging the Empire with the ordinary Tribute it lived in the form of a Republick although much perplexed with the most cruel factions of its own Citizens until the yeer 1143. When Federico Barbarrossa having gathered the utmost of his Power forced all the Cities of Italy into servitude and destroying Milan in the rest constituted a German Podesta Vicenza endured not long this Tyranny but united with Padoua and Verona they shoke off the yoke and sent the first Embassadors to the Milanesi to offer them assistance and to perswade them to do the like and so they concluded the famous League of the Cities of Lombardy by which Colleagues Barbarossa being overcome between Como and Milan was driven to the other side of the Alpes Which victory the peace of Costanza followed to the conclusion whereof came also the Orators of Vicenza where they megliorated enough their Cities Condition and the state of their Liberty chiefly for that Henry the Son and successor of Federick confirmed the abovenamed Peace with all the conditions conceded by his Father All the Embassadors of the Colleagued Cities randezvousing at Piacense to that purpose where also was the Emperor and Michael Capra a Vicentine
great Men that they might the more commodiously apply themselves to the Study of Learning Of which were Virgil Alipius Saint Augustine Hermolao Barbaro Merula Francesco Filelfo Celio Rodigino Alexander the sixth and Pious the fourth Popes And although too often this City was thrown down to the very foundations and at last furrowed with the plough of the Enemies yet it ever revived again and that with more beauty and Splendor than at first increasing still so much in Riches and People that it ever kept a place among the chief Cities of Italy Near the Church San Salavdore there stood a proud Palace of the Emperors with a Temple dedicated to Jupiter made in emulation of the Campidoglio at Rome and where now the Counsel is kept was the Palace for Justice where also the Proclamations of the Dukes were accustomed to be publickly read and the due punishments executed on Malefactors There was also a Theatre to present Comedies a place for Horse races and a large Circle where now is Santa Maria Maggiore The Garden near San Steffano was an Amphitheatre where they accustomed to fight Duels The Church of San Nazario was an old Prison where they condemned Malefactors to fight with the wild Beasts there preserved to that end in great number The Common Field was then a Theatre where the young men exercised themselves in taming and manning of Horses and fighting Where the Cathedral Church is was a place with Stalls many waies where they made their Feasts to their Heroes and Houshold Gods The Stalls now for the Cattel then was a pleasant Garden beautified and planted with many Fruit trees and plants brought from far Countries great store of odoriferous flowers Rivolets of Christalline waters Statues and Sculptures of Marble Where the Church of San Lorenzo stands now were the hot Baths of Maximinian Nero and Nerva the Emperors nothing inferiour to them at Rome Besides which antiquities there yet is preserved a stately Armory in the Palace replenished with most noble Arms worthy any Prince for the value and fairness being not onely inlayed with Gold and Silver but engraven with greatest Cost and Workmanship where now is the Church San Lorenzo was a Temple dedicated to Hercules made in the form of the Rotunda at Rome near which were erected 16. Marble Pillars and upon them a Palace for the Emperours part whereof was ruined by fire the rest by time nothing but the Pillars remaining All this Fabrick was raised by Maximinian Hercules who ordained the Town should be no more called Milano but Herculeo At one end of those Pillars is this inscription put in Imp. Caesari L. Aurelio vero Aug. Arminiaco Medico Parthico Max. Trib. Pot. VII Imp. IIII. Cos. III. PP Divi Antonini Pii Divi Hadriani Nepoti Divi Trajani Parthici Pronepoti Divi Nervae Apnepoti Dec. Dec. This Milan was alwaies a potent City whence we read that it many times made opposition to the Romans and often fought the Goths and other Barbarous People and also against both the Federicks the first and second Emperours obtaining a most glorious victory It subjected to it Navara Bergamo Pavia Como Lodi and Tortona and freed Genoua from the hands of the Moors The Romans were wont to say Qui miseram citius cupiunt effundere vitam Modiolanum adeant gens ea dura nimis It was so much prized by the adjacent Countreys that it being ruined by Federick Barbarossa the Emperor Cremona Verona Piacenza advised how to restore it at their own cost and charges and in all times t was very populous It received the light of the Faith from S Barnabas sent thither from Saint Peetre who then resided in Antiochia which was in the 46. year after the coming of our Saviour where he substituted for Bishop Anatalone the Greek his Disciple whom in process of time succeeded many holy Bishops among others that glorious pillar of the Church Saint Ambrose the most renowned Doctour who finding the Bodies of San Gervaso and Protaso the Martyrs caused that Church to be built which is now called San Ambrogio This was the Cathedral Church where is seen the true effigies of the brazen Serpent made by Moses brought hither by Theodosius the Emperor as also the effigies of San Bernardo upon a Pillar who in this Church said Mass preached and wrought miracles Likewise a sumptuous Sepulchre wherein lies Lewis the second Emperour and Pepin King of Italy both Sons of Charls the great there under the Altar within a deep Pit locked with four Gates of Iron is kept with great reverence the body of Saint Ambrose and a book writ with his own hand Angelberto of the illustrious Family of Pusterly in the time of Charls the Great being Arch-Bishop The Emperor gave to this Altar a noble Pall embroidered with Saints and Angels in 20. several Squares in the midst whereof is the Saviour of the World as he rose from the dead upon whose head is a Diamond set round with gemmes of inestimable valew On both sides of which Altar are four other Images of Saints in the middle is a Cross. The Vests are all over beset with many pearls and pretious stones behind the Altar is another Cross of silver two Cubits high and one an half broad where are 23. figures of Saints of embossed work This so stupendious work cost in those days 28000. Scudaes and is now worth 100000. Volvinio the excellent Sculptor of those times was the Artificer of it Saint Ambrose stood at the Gate of this Church when he excomunicated Theodosius the Emperor commanding him not to enter therein Contiguous with it is a noble and stately Monastery of the Fryers Celestines At the issuing out of Saint Ambrogio is a poor Chapel in a blind corner with a Well where Saint Ambross baptized Saint Augustine and t is known that this was the way which Saint Augustine and Saint Ambrose took hand in hand to give thanks to God in San Gervaso for the holy Baptism received singing Te Devm Laudamus as the Inscription testifieth Hic beatus Ambrosius babtizat Augustinum Deodatum Alippum hic beatus Ambrosius incipit te Deum laudamus Augustinus sequitur Te deum confitemur The meanness of the place makes it most credible to be true the name of Carolus Boromaeus a Council of Trent Saint highly cryed up at Milan having too much extinguisht the memory and esteem of that learned Father The Church of Santa Tecla is replete with holy Reliques here rests Saint Ambrose and among other Reliques a Nayl which was fixed and drove through a member of the Body of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ into the Wooden Cross whereon he was crucifyed by the wicked Jewes which was bestowed on it by Theodosius the Emperor This is the antientest Temple of Milan and was first consecrated to the Saviour after to the Virgin Mary and lastly to Tecla but antiently many yeers before the coming of the Messiias they say there stood a most famous Temple
holy conversation whom Cardinal Federick his Nephew succeeded a worthy imitator of his Uncle Before a Palace near the Porta Lodivica is an Altar of Marble Stones where on one side is earveâ—… Diana Luci fera as Cicero calls her with a burning Torch as Lucillus writes in his Satyrs Et Regyna videbis Maenia tum Liparas facelinae templa Dianae For this Godess was in this manner adored in the Island Lipari and at its Feet is a Blood-hound with the eyes towards the Goddess on the other fide is Apollo Medico leaning on a Tripode with a Bow in his right hand and a quiver of arrows hanging at his shoulder near his feet a Scepter and the Serpent Pitone who is therefore called by the Poets Pitio Citaredeo before the said Altar may be read this inscription AEsculapio Hygiae Sacrum C. Oppius G. L. Leonas VI. Vir. Aug. Honoratus In Tribu GL Patrum liberum Clientium Adcensus Patroni Sanctissimis Communicipibus suis. DD. Quorum Dedicatione Singulis Decurionibus * III. Augustalibus * II. Et Colonis Cenam Dedit L. D. D. D. There are in Milan II. Collegiat Churches 71. Parochials 30. Convents of Fryers and 8 of Regulars 36. Monasteries of Nuns 32. Confraternities or Fryeries which with diverse others amount to 238. Churches with 120. Schools where Boys are instructed in Christian Doctrine and other Learning It hath therefore worthily attributed to it the name of Milan the great and the estimation of one of the four great Cities of Italy that is Roma Venetia Milano Napoli and Autonio Callo reckons it one of the ten greatest of Europe it well may be accounted and taken for the greatest of any Metropolis in a Dutchy Going forth of the Gate Camasina towards the North and the Mountains at 25. miles distance one arivies at Como which reaâ—… affords nothing worthy observation but the Town Bersalina where Saint Peetro the Martyr was slain by the Hereticks and in that place where he wrote the 12. Articles of Faith with his blood there is a Grott where they continually digg Earth and yet it appears no hollow Over that place they pretend likewise to see a great splendour which God sheweth for the glory of that holy Body there inhumanly slain COMO COmo is a City famous for the genteelness of her Citizens and flourishing Muse of Paolo Giovo is seated in a Plain environed with Mountains and near the Lake Lario or Como within which and opposite to Como is a small Town built as it t were in a Peninsula and at the lower end thereof stands a Palace where the abovenamed Paolo had embellished a Library with a noble collection of Books and the pourtrays of the most illustrious persons as is expressed in his books called gli Elogii but at present there remains nothing of it more than certain pictures upon the Walls The Images Books Robes of Prete Janni King of AEthiopia the Bowes and other Arms of the Antipodes with many other curiosities not else where to be found and of good valew are removed thence to the Palace of the Giovii within Como in the Dome or Cathedral Church on the left hand is erected the sumptuons Tombe of Benedetto Giovo the famous writer in the City likewise may be read many epitaphs and writings testifying their antiquity and constant fidelity to the Rouâ—…an Common-Wealth The Lake Como is 36. miles long and somewhat more than three miles broad upon which when calm the Citizens in their boats recreate themselves near the end stands the Fountain of Pliny and Belacio a Palace of the Signori Spondati invironed with spatious Gardens which are adorned with fair Arbours and the Walls clothed with Gessamines Roses Rosemary and other sweets together with some Woods of Juneper Trees which harbour all sorts of Birds Ten Miles distant from Milan and between it and Como stands the stately Castle Monza which is washed by the River Lambro It was amplified by Thedorick first King of the Goths and Teodolinae the Queen there erected a magnificent Temple dedicated to Saint John the Baptist endowing it with great riches among others with a Saphyr of inestimable price a Brood Hen and Chickens of Gold and many other vessels of Gold therein also are preserved many reliques in Vessels given to it by San Gregory Then appears Somasca upon the Mountains a Town often named for the Original of the Religious order of the regular Priests of Somasca a little more forward you see near the Banks of the Lake Como the impregnable Castle Leaco whence you passe by water to Como and then advancing a little farther the Traveller cometh to the Country of the Grizons through which runs the River Adda On the left hand of Monza rise the Mountains of Bianza which afford most excellent Wines and three miles distant from Monza on the right hand lies a well-manured Campagna wherein Francesco Secundo Sforza defeated the French Army commanded by Lotrecco where after the death of many thousand Souldiers on both sides he obtained a glorious victory On this fide also before the arrival at the River Varo the boundary of Italy appears the small River Martesana an Arm of the Adda which runs under the Gorgongiola over which stands a Bridge whence they descend to Milan and thus we have described the places on the Eastern Part. Issuing out of the Gate of Milan Vercella towards the West you meet the compleat Town Ro near by which passeth an Arm of the Tesino to Milan on the other side of which Rivolet is Ensalaro with many other Castles whence taking the right-hand way you arrive at the Lago Maggiore at the very source of the River Tesino which goes to Pavia near which stands Angiera whence the Signori d' Angiera now Viscounts take their rise Then at 17. miles distance from Milan upon a Mountain being as t were one of the Boundaries to the Lake appears the devout Temple of Santa Maria del Monte whither resort great concourse of People to obtain their requests from God at the intercession of the blessed Virgin Mary Then passing the Tessino you find Viglebia a new small City but fair where stands the magnificent Palace called the Ssorzesca so named from Lodovico Sforza Duke of Milan who built and gave it to the Religious Order of the Dominican Fryers who to this day possess it From whence on the right hand way lies Novarra and the Country Lemellina and on the left hand the Castle Mortarra heretofore called the fayr Wood but afterwards from the great slaughter of the Longobards there made by Charles the great sighting with Desiderius their King it was named Mortara On the same side also is the Castle Valese and the Town Vatalle under the Mountains where in burnt Earth is effigiated the Sepulchre of our Saviour with all the mysteries of his passion in divers little Chapels to which much Application is made with great
Santo Antonio the Martyr the fair Church of S. Giovanni officiated by the Fryers of S. Dominick and that of San Sisto with a worthy Monastery but above all is resplendent the Temple of Sant Augustino attended by the canonical Regulars which at first was compassed about with a weak Wall but afterwards so well fortifyed with strong Walls and a Fort built of Stone that it acquired a place among the strong holds of Italy The City is four miles compass and the Ditches add one mile more and is washed by the Rivers Trebia and Poe after it had a long time enjoyed its liberty it became subject to the Scotti Turriani the Landi the Dukes of Milan the French the Romans the holy Church but at present it remains in peace under the Signori Farnesi Pliny drawes a conclusion of the goodness and temperature of the Ayr from the old age the Inhabitants arrive to who writes that in his time one of its Citizens lived to be 120. yeers old and in its Territory were six persons who were 110 yeers old a peece and one that was aged 140. yeers The City contains 18000. Souls whereof 2000. religious many noble Families of great name flourish there at this day at the Scotta Landa and Ansusciola who possess many Castles and Jurisdictions Among many other illustrious and vertuous persons it gave birth to T. Tinca the old fluent Oratour and to Pope Gregory the tenth who dyed in Arezzo in Tuscany where many signes appeared of his great merits Going out of Piacenza towards the East and North appears the mouth of the River Trebia much spoken of by Historians for the overthrow of the Roman Army given by Hannibal but afore it stands the Church of Saint Antonio where the six Souldiers were miraculously burnt by fire who blasphemed his name Then you see Stradella and the Castle of Saint Giovanni and Vichiera On the Ieftly the Apeniâ—…e Hills among which stands enclosed the City Bobio thirty miles from Piacentia where Teodolenda Queen of the Longobardi built a rich and sumptuous Monastery at the request of San Colombano assigning it great possessions for susteining the Monks who served God from which Monastery have issued thirty two Saints At Piacenza begins the Emilian Way called Via Emilia according to Livy which was set out by Emilius the Consul and extends it self from thence to Rimini towards the South On the right appears most sharp Mountains wherein are built fair Castles Towns and Villages but none of moment except Corte Maggiore belongiâ—…g to the Pallavicini and Arquato much named for the sweet Wines there produced On the left hand of the Emilian Way stands Cremona whither you may go also by Water from Piacenza upon the Poe Between Piacenza and Cremona at 12. miles distance on the Via Emilia appears the Castle Fiorenzola called Fidentia by Tolomeo and likewise Livy wriâ—…ing in his 88th Book that Silla forced Carbone out of Italy having overthrown his Army at Chinso Faenza and Fidentia Here is that famous Abbacy where with royal and splendid provision Pietro Antonio the Abbot received Francis the first King of France Charls the 5th Emperour and Paulus Tertius the Pope more forward stands the Burgo Saint Donnino sortifyed with new Forts and created a City lately at the instance of Ranuecio Farnese Duke of Parma Having repassed the Poe you arrive at the River Varro whence to Parma is four miles with a continued course of the Appenines on the right hand PARMA THis City is rich and adorned with stately Edifices illustrious Families and many Inhabitants It hath a delightfull and fruitfull Territory yielding Corn Fruit Oyl Wine and Cheese known through the World which hath acquired it a place among the rich and noble Cities of Italy T is seated on the Via Emilia in a plain at five miles distance from the Apenines between which and the Suburb on the West passeth the River Parma over which is raised a Bridge of carved Stone conjoyning both the Banks T is not known whether this River took its name from the City or the City from the River no antient Author making mention of it but Livy Polibius and Cicero with other grave Writers speak honourably of the City It was made a Colony for the Romans together with Mâ—…dena as Livy averrs in his 39th Book in these words Eodem anno Mutina Parma Coloniae Romaenorum Civium sunt deductae bina millia hominum in agrum qui proximè Boio rum ante Tuschorum fuerat Octona jugera Parmae quina Mutinae acceperunt It s People are fayr and of as noble and spritefull Genius disposed not only for Government of the Republick but also to Letters and Arms. It hath a fayr and large Campagna which nourishing immense numbers of sheep affords them plenty of fine Wool whereof Martial saies Tondet innumeros Gallica Parma greges and in another place Velleribus primis Apulia Parma secundis Nobilis Altinum tertia laudat ovis It s Ayr is so temperate that Pliny saies in the time of Vespasian there were two men 123. yeers old each The Campagnia is so spatious that all behold it with wonder where stands a Palace for the Dukes embellished with Gardens and Fountains It was subject to the Roman Empire till the decay thereof when it recovered its liberty in the yeer of our Lord 1248. it was straightly besieged by Frederick Barbarossa determining not to depart thence till he had destroyed it which resolution caused him to build a City near it called Vittoria 800 els long and 600. broad with eight Gates and large dykes but this his design was prevented by a salley of the Parmezans who assay ling his Army overthrew it and destroyed Vittoria The Domo of Cathedral Church is fayr and sumptuous having many Canons and other Priests to officiate In the Church of San Giovanni dwell the Fryers of Saint Benedict In the Church Steccata is stately Architecture lovely Pictures and Images In the Church of the Cupucines lies buried Alessandro Farnese the invincible Captain and Madama Maria his devout Consort Every Church hath some works of Parmegianino and Corregio the famous Painters In Parma are the noble Families of the Pallavicini Torelli Rossi Giberti Sanvitali with others It hath produced men eminent in Learning Virtue and Arms as Cassio the Poet Macrobio a worthy Writer with others It is subject to the most serene house of the Farnesi who have therein raised many stately Fabricks and lately the Duke Ranuccio erected a School for all the general sciences drawing thither by his large Stipends the most eminent Doctors of Italy It is four miles in circuit and contains 22. thousand Souls Forth of Parma towards the North is Colorno a well-governed Castle with other fair places and towards the South having passed the River Taro and travelled 35. miles you meet Borgo a noble Castle of the Dukes of Parma from which Country besides great plenty of all
Sigismond the Emperor with Gabrino Fondulio Lord of the City who afterwards was sad at the heart that he had not precipitated the Emperour and Pope to eternalize his memory as did Herostrato who only to commemorate his name gave fire to and burnt that stupendnous Temple of Diana built in Ephesus at the common charge of all the Potentates of Asia in two hundred yeers It hath a Cathedral with a good Revenue and many other stately Churches wherein are kept many Reliques of Saints and much riches several Hospitals and other pious places The Families of Cremona are for the most part descended from the Romans who there made a Colony others from the veterane Souldiers who for reward of their Labours had houses Lands there assigned them and others from the Goths Longobardi French Germans and other people of Italy it hath given birth to many eminent Ecclesiasticks Lawyers Physicians Souldiers and Poets The people are of an industrious and accute wit and have invented several sorts of Stuffs Silks and Clothes and make excellent Swords Without the Gate Puleselia stands the Church San Guglielmo where is a large Pond which did formerly contain troubled and stinking water but San Domenick and Francis who dwelt there making the sign of the Cross over it they were there by miraculously converted into clear and sweet waters Near the Porta San Michaele stood a Temple dedicate to the Goddess Februa whereof nought appears now Close by the Walls runs the noble River Oglio On its West part lies nhe Territory of Lodi on the North Bergamo and Brescia on the East Mantona and on the South Piacenza Between Towns and Hamlets this City possesseth 41. places and all its Country round about is a plain planted with trees in excellent order with Vines clinging to them and most productive of all grains herbage and other necessaries From Cremona to Mantoua leads a direct even road and upon or near it lye Piadena the Country of Bartolomeo Platina close by which passeth the Oglio Canesdo where the Oglio spends it self in the Poe the Castles Asola and Acquanegria Bozzolo a Town and San Martino where Scipion Gonzaga the Splendor of the College of Cardinals lies buried Then the River passed which crosseth the Road you leave the Bourg Marcheria and Gazuolo where there is a sumptuous and royal Palace of the Gonzaghi whose also are the 3 Castles from Gazuolo to Mantoua twelve miles But the way from Cremona to Mantoua on the left side of the Poe lies thus first to the Town San Giovanni and Ricardo then to Ponzono Gusnola and Casal Maggiore and then to Sabioneda an imperial City very fair and stately a draught whereof was taken by order of the Duke Vespasiano Beyond which lies Viadona and Pomponesco where lies the passe over the Poe whence t is eight mile to Mantoua in the way are Montecchio a mannor of the Palavicini Colorno under the Parmesans the Castle Bresegello of the Dokes of Estè formerly a City but destroyed by the Lougobardi whose King Alboino there slew Totila King of the Gothes and by that victory made himself Lord of Italy Gonzaga where the Duke of Mantoua hath a noble Palace Reggio Huolara Luzzara and Guastallo entitled with a Principality thence to Borgo Forte and so to Mantoua MANTOUA FOr its antiquity gives place to no City of Italy being founded not only before Rome but before the destruction of Troy which happened according to Eusebius Saint Jerome and others 430. yeers before the building of Rome Leandro Alberti shewes that Mantoua was built 1183. yeers before the coming of our Lord into the flesh And as it was more antient than the rest so was its Original more noble being founded by Ocno Bianoro the most antient King of Tuscany who was Son of Tiberino King of Tuscany and Manto Tebena his Queen and so called it Mantoua from the name of his Mother It was first inhabited by three noble people the Tebani Veneti and Toscani as Virgil the Prince of Poets celebrating the nobleness of this his Country testifies in his 10. book of his AEneades Ille etiam patriis agmenciet Ocnus ab oris Fatidicae Manthus Tusci filius amnis Qui muros matrisque dedit tibi Mantoua nomen Mantoua Dives avis sed non genus omnibus unum Gens illi triplex populi sub gente quaterni Ipsa caput populis Tusco de sanguine vires T is seated among the Marishes created by the River Mencio is strong by nature and art large and well built adorned with sumptuous Palaces and fair Churches noble Piazzaes spatious recreative places and direct streets T is a merchandizing City and copious of all trading through the conveniency of the waters The people are of an acute genius and not less disposed to Learning Arms and all Sciences than to Traffick and Merchandizing In the Church of the reverend Fathers of Saint Domenick is the Tomb of Giovanni de Medici Father of Cosmus great Duke of Tuscany where may be read this Epitaph Joannes Medices hic situs est inusitatae virtutis Dux qui ad Mincium tormento ictus Italiae fato potius quam suo cecidit 1526. In the Church of the Carmelites lies Batista Spagnuolo General of that order with this Epitaph Reverend P. Magister Baptiste Mantuanus Carmelita Theologus Philosophus Poeta Orator Clarissimus Latinae Graecae Hebraicae linguae peritissimus In the sumptuous Temple Saint Andrea is some of the pretious bloud of our Lord and the body of San Longino the Martyr Montigna Padouano lies likewise buried here with this Inscription Ossa Andreae Mantiniae famosissimi Pictoris cum duobus filiis insepulchro per Andream Mantiniam nepotem ex filio constructo And underneath are these two verses Esse parem hunc noris si non praeponis Apelli Enea Mantiniae qui simulacra vides In the Duomo where the lngenuity of Giulio Romano a famous Architector hath expatiated it self lies the entire body of San Anselmo Bishop of Lucca In San Egidio lies Bernardo Tasso Mantoua hath eight Gates is in compass four miles hath in it 50. thousand Souls and the aforesaid Lake or Marish lies 20. miles round it near it is the Royal Palace of Te built by Giulio Romano Five miles off Mantoua West-ward stands a Temple dedicate to the Virgine Mary filled with presents and vows wherein lies the body of Baldassar Casiiglione in a fayr Tomb. Twelve miles distant from it South-ward is the magnificent and sumptuous Monastery of Saint Benedict seated in a Plain near the Poe which was built by Bonisace Marquess of Mantoua Count of Conossa and Uncle of Matilda in the yeer of our Saviour 984. which for its Magnificense Riches and sumptuousness of building and what more imports for its observance in Religion antecedes all the other Monasteries of Italy The Fryers Benedictines have possessed it for 200 yeers from whom have issued many Religious filled with sanctity good doctrine and
Emperor of a Nymph leaning near a River judged by some to be Cleopatra and of Laocoon the Trojan with his two Sons enveloped in the twistings of the Serpents a piecemuch applauded by Pliny cut out of one entire Stone which that it might receive as excelling shapes and forms as could be carved by industry or Art Agesandro Polidoro and Asenodoro three rare Rodian Sculptors applyed their joynt Industry study pains This curious Sculpture was preserved by miracle of Fortune at the destruction of the Palace of Titus Vespasian the Emperour as also of the River Tevere or Tyber with the Wolâ—…e giving suck to Romulus and Remus carved out of one tire Stone and likewise the great Nilus leaning on a Sphinx on the heigth whereof stand sixteen Children denoting the sixteen Cubits of the increase of that River observed by the AEgyptians and every one of those Children is in such manner figured that it excellently describes the effect which at that rise and increase it wrought on the Land of AEgypt sa for example the sixteenth Child is placed upon a shoulder of the River with a basket of flowers and fruits upon its head and this Child signifies that the increase of the River to the sixteenth Cubit enriches the Earth to the production of great plenty of Fruit and brings gladness to it The 15th signifies that all is secure and well and the 14th brings joyfulness but all the other increases under 14. are unhappy and miserable as Pliny observes in the ninth Chapter of his fifth Book of Natural Histories and moreover some Creatures which are only proper to that Countrey with its plants called Calamo a Cane Colo Cassia AEgyptian Bean and Papiro called Papir Reed whereof they were wont to make great leaves to write on thereof was the first paper made thence as is supposed was that name borrowed which are no where to be found out of AEgypt no more than the Monsters to wit Hippotami or the Sea Horse whose Feet are like an Ox back and mayn like a Horse tusks like a Boar with a long winding tayl Ichneumoni the Indian or AEgyptian Ratt whose property is to creep into the Crocodiles Mouth when he gapeth to eat his Bowels and so kill him Trochili a Sea-foul friend to the Crocodil somewhat like to a wagtail or Sea Wood cock Ibidi the black stork a Bird in AEgypt which hath stiff Leggs and a long Bill wherewith when its sick it administreth it self a Glister of Sea Water Sciachi Land Crocodiles Crocodrili Sea Crocodiles which can only move the upper Jaw or Chaps And also the pourtraits of the Terrositi a generation of Pigmies or dwarfs incessant Men perpetual Enemies of the Crocodiles whereof Pliny in the 25th Chapter of his eighth Book of Natural Histories treats at large together with many other singular Statues in the said gardens of Belvedere which when seen thorowly examined and understood by intelligent Persons yeeld them great delight and satisfaction In the Bâ—…th of Pope Pius the 4th is a work of great esteem being an Ocean cut out of the fairest Marble The Antients thought the Ocean to be Prince of the Waters and Father of all things a Friend to Prometheus And that by means of the humidity and liquidness of the Waters all things seem to generate from Seeds with the assistance of the Heavens therefore they believed that every thing received Life from Water with the favourable friendship of the temperat Genius of the Caelestial Bodies This figure hath the Body covered with a thin vail whereby they would signifie that the Sea shrouds the Heavens with Clouds of its own vapours meaning by the Sea the whole generation of waters and they denote the Earths being covered with plants by the Hairs beard and ordinary skinns beingall figured by the leaves of divers tender Plants It hath two horns placed upon the Forehead First because the Sea provoked by the winds roars like a Bull and secondly because the Sea is governed by the Moons motion which they called Cornuta thirdly because the Sea is called Father of Fountains and Rivers which they figured Cornuti or horned In its right hand is put the Rudder of a Ship in token that the Waters by means of the Ships being guided by these Rudders are furrowed as best likes the Pilot of which Comodity they feigned Prometheus to be the Inventor they have placed it upon a Maritine Monster to demonstrate that the Sea is generator of many wonderfull Monsters One of which to the purpose is seen in Rome in the Antique marble sphere of Atlas placed among the celestial signes upon this very occasion T is said that Andromada contending for beauty with the Nymphs of the Sea being overcome was by them given to this Monster which devoured her out of whose body slain on the shore of Perseus who would have saved that Virgin there issued so much blood that it dyed the Sea red whence that Sea was afterwards called Citreo or the Red Sea for all which the Citreo is not that gulfe which is vulgarly called the red Sea but is that part of the Ocean affianced to the Gulph which washes Arabia on the South but now to our relation of Rome The first and cheif part whereof to be visited through devotion are the 7. principal Churches and then the others in their order wherein are preserved infinite reliques of Saints and some remarkable Ones of the holy Jesus our Lord and Saviour as the the Towel of Santa Veronica with the effigies of Christ the Speer of Longinus wherewith he was run into the Breast One of those Nayls wherewith our Lord was nayled to the Cross. One of those thirty pence which as the price of Treason were given to Iudas the Traitor by the wicked Jews all which you are obliged particularly to search out as exceeding singularities not elsewhere to be found Of ROME the Old and ROME the New and of its admirable Excellencies ROME formerly the Empress of the World cannot be enough praised Her power was so great her Riches so immense her subjects so innumerable her Territories and Dominions so vast That well might Saint Hierome in his three wishes for intermixing that concerning her with so divine things be pardonable which three wishes were To have seen our Saviour in the flesh to have heard Saint Paul preach and to have seen Rome in her Glory which had so spread her self over the whole Earth that a perfect Idea of her cannot be comprehended and must needs have been the happiest sight that mortal eye could attain to But when considered what she was and how since devoured by fire by the insatiable Nero and how pillaged sacked and thousands of mischiefs done her by the Barbarous at the decay of the Roman Empire One may well wonder how the new Rome should be even emulous to exceed the Old Being at this day the Queen of Cities the Flower of Italy and as one may say an Epitome of the whole Earth
Show places in Rome were Il Massimo l'Agonio Il Flaminio that of Nero and that of Alexandre The memorable Porticues or open Galleries Denomminations ensue Il Pompeio Il Corinthio della Concordia della Libertà di Augusto di Severo di Panteo di Metello di Constantino di Q Catullo del Foro di Augusto di Trajano di Livia del circo Massino di Nettuno di Quirino di Mercurio di Venere Cricina di Ottavio Iulia and that called Tribunale Aurelio The famous Collumnes were Lo Rostrata la Lattaria la Bellica la Menia those of Trajan of Caesar of Antonius pius and those in the Porticue of Concordia The Piramides these one in the Circo maximo one in the Campo Martio one in the Mauseolo or rich Tombe of Augustus one of the Sun of the Araceli of the Moon of the holy Trinity of the Vatican of Saint Petre and of San Mauro which flankes the Roman Colledge In Rome were three Colossus one of Nero another of Apollo a third of Mars and two other Pyramides one of C Celtius another of Scipio Also some places called Naumachie appointed for Naval Fights as large as the Circus Maximus and were called of Domitian Nero and Caesar. The proud Fabricks named Settezonii were two the one of Severus which Pope Sextus the 5th caused to be overwhelmed the other of Titus Some Horses were erected composed of several Materials as of Marcus Aurelius of Antoninus in the Campidoglio of Domitianus of L. Verus Trajanus Caesar. Constantinus of Fidia and of Prasitelle in the Quirinale or Monte Cavallo The Names of such as have writ of the Famous things in ROME THese following Authors have wrote of the City ROME P. Vittore wrote of the Parts of the City Aristides sofista in Greek an Oration in praise of Rome but the more modern are Giusto Lipsio Lucio Fauno Bartolameo Marliano lately set forth with Prints Lodovico Demonciosi in a Book intitled Gallus hospes de Urbe printed at Rome Poggio a Florentine Fabriccio Varriano Flavio Biondo Rafael Volaterrano Francesco Albertini Rucellai Sorlio Giacomo Boissardo Mauro Andrea Fulvio Rosino Panuino Vuolfango Lazio Of the modern state and greatness of Rome under the Popâ—…s Flavio Biondo Thomaso Bosio Eugubino and Thomaso Stapletono an English Man have at large discoursed Of the seven Churches of Rome Onofrio Panuino who wrote also of the burying places M. Attilio Serrano and Pompeio Augonio the Roman Library keeper in the vulgar Tongue and of the other Churches Lorenzo Schradero Sassone in the second Book of his Memorials of Italy Of the times and impresses of the Consuls and Emperors Cassiodorâ—… a Roman Senator Marcellino Vettor Tanunense Gioanni Cuspiniano Carlo Sigonio Onofrio Panuino Stefano Pighio whose History is beautified with figures and Uberto Golizio who did the same with the Meddals Passing by the Antient Greek and Latine Authors These ensuing have wrote the Histories of the Roman Emperours viz. Plutark Dion Herodian Iulianus Caesar Ammianus Lampridius Spartianus Aurelius Victorius with others who have been often reprinted Also the Images of those Emperours were treated of and published by Uberto Glotzio Hiperbolita Giacomo Strada Mantoano Sebastiano Orâ—…zo and others moreover the Images of the said Emperours and their wives were stamped in Copper by Levino Hulsio Gandavese in Spire Furthermore the Lives of the Emperours were set forth in Verse by Ausonio Borgidolense Gia Micillo and Orsino Velio Of the Columnes of Rome Pietro Giacone Alfonso Chianone and Pietro Gallesino the one of the Rostrata or Pulpit bedecked with beaks of Ships in the Campidoglio the second of that of Trajan the third of that of Antoninus Of the Acqueducts and Waters entring Rome Sesto Iulio Frontino Aldus Manutius and Giovanni Servilio of the Acqua Virgine wrote Duca the Roman Legist Of the increase and Augmentation of the Tyber Lodovico Gomesio and Giacomo Castiglione Of the Magistrates of Rome Pamponeo Leto Andrea Dominico Flano whose works are erroneoufly attributed to Fenestela Carlo Sigonio Giovanni Bofino in his seventh Book of the Roman Antiquities and Giachâ—…mo Perionio of the Provinces Marian Scoto and Guido Pancirolo Of the Senate Aulo Gellio Giovanni Zamosio Great Chansellor of Polonia and Paul Manutius Of the Comitia or Assemblies of the People for electing Officers Nicolo Grucchio Carlo Sigonio and Giovanni Rosino in his 6th Book of the Roman Antiquities Of the Judges Valerius Maximus in his 7th Book and Giovanni Rosino in his 7th Book of the Antiquities of Rome Of the High Priests Andrea Dominico Flacco Pomponeo Leto and Rosino aforenamed Of the times of their Festivals and of their Games Ovidius Naso Lidius Geraldus Rosinus and Iosephus Scaliger in his Book De Temporum emendatione Of the Triclinia or Supping Parlours or their Banquets and manner of sitting at Table Pietro Chiacon Toletano Fulvio Orsino a Roman Ramusio De quaesitis per Epistolam and Andrea Baccio De vini Natura Of the sharp pointed Steeple erected by Sixtus the 5th Pietro Angelo Barba Pietro Galesino Michel Mercator and Giovanni Servilio Of the Theatre and Amphitheatres Iustus Lipsius and Giovanni Servilio in his first Book of the wonderfull works of the Antient Of the Roman Militia Polibius Iustus Lipsius Giovanni Antonio Valerinâ—… Giovanni Servilio in 30. lib. De mirandis Carlo sigonio and Giovanni Rosino Of the Provinces Sextus Rufus in his Breviary and Carlo Sigonius of the Colonies Sextus Iulius Frontinus Onofrio Panuino and Carlo Sigonio Of the Ciphers or Figures of the Antient Valerius Probus the Author of that tenth Book added to Valerius Maximus of the Roman surnames whereof also Sigonius hath writ Panuinus and others Of the antiquity of the Edifices and the ruines of Rome Carolus Sigonius in his Book De antiquo Iure Civium Romanorum Paulâ—…s Minutius who wrote also of the Laws of Rome as did Antonius Agostinus aud others The Figures of Romes Antiquities were stamped in Brass by Antonio Salamanca and others The Tablets in brass likewise by Onofrio Panuino and others The Statues in Rome were published by Giovanni Giacomo Boissardo and others The Images of the illustrious Persons were taken from the Marble figures and printed by Achille Statio a Portuguese and Theodore Galleo by whom also were set forth the lively Visages of the modern illustrious Italians as also of the nine learned Greeks who being taken at Constantinople first brought the Greek letters into Italy and afterwards conveyed the same into Gallia aud those parts beyond the Alpes The old Inscriptions on Marble and other stones in Rome and elsewhere were divulged by Pietro Appiano Maritino Smetio Fulvio Orsino and divers others The Epitaphs on Christians Tombs are collected by Lorenzo Scradero a Saxon and by Chitreus in his Book of delight in travails Of the Roman wonders Ubertus Glothzius hath wrote an ample Book which also comprehends the Inscriptions and meddals of Apulia and Sicilia Sebastiano Erizzo and others The Lives of the Roman Chief Bishops and Popes were
are steered by Ostia into the City besides in antient time in the Naumachia they oâ—…ten presented certain Warlike and Naval sports for the Solace of the Princes and multitude The Ponte Aurelio or Gianicolo conjoins the part Transteverina or beyond the Tyber to the City but being broken in the civil War 't was afterwards called Ponte Rotto At last being râ—…edisied by Sixtus the 4th to that magnificence it now appears in it took the name of Ponte Sixto In the midst of the Naumachia rise the reliques of the Ponte Sublicio upon which Horatius alone in the War against the Tuscans sustained the assaults of the Enemies till such time as the Romans could break down the said Bridge near the Gate by which means the Enemies were obstructed in their hoped for entrance into the City AEmilius Lepidus caused it aâ—…terwards to be built of stone From a top this Bridge the Emperour Heliogabulus the Monster of Nature and Mankind having a stone hung abont his Neck was cast down into the Tyber Near hereunto ly the Fields Mutii given to Mutius Scaevola by the publick for the noble Act he performed in the presence of Porsenna King of the Tuscans At the Port of Ripa Leon the 4th built two Towers to hinder the inroads of the Sarazens who often by Ostia run up the Tyber Then Borgo was called Citta Leonina Alexander the 4th named it Borgia and added to it good increase of all things L'Isola Tiberina is believed to have rise and beginning in the time of Tarquin the proud t is not very bâ—…oad but a quarter of a mile long and was consecrated to AEsculapius In it is at this day a Church dedicated to San Bartolomeo At the point of the Island you may see the form of that Ship wherein the Serpent Epidaurus was conveighed into the City which form was sometime since exposed to view by the inundation of the Tyber In the gardens of Cardinal Farnezeâ—… beyond the Tyber are divers Venuses of the whitest Marble and several Pyles on which are figured Men Lyons Women the nine Muses Satyrs and other things and a broken pillar with a Greek inscription very memorable which was brought from Tivoli The Bridge Cescio or Esquilino conjoines the part beyond the Tyber to the Island t was built by Valentianus and Valens Emperors and is now called Ponte Saint Bartolomeo from that Church which stands in the Island contiguous with it In the same Island stands the Church of San Giovanni Battista which formerly was the Temple of Iupiter and in the uppermost part of it yet appear the ruines of a Temple of Faunus which was reduced to that sad condition by the Inundation of the River The Bridge Fabricio called also Tarpeio connexeth the Island with the City passing through the midst of Marcellus his Theatre t is at this time called Ponte dà i quatro capi from certain statues theâ—…e reared each of which hath four faces and heads The Theatre of Marcellus was built by Augustus Caesar at the Bridge Fabricio in honour of Marcellus the Son of his Sister Octavia capacious for eighty thousand persons to which structure that she might add the more lustre as in remembrance of her said Son Marcellus the said Octavia complea ted a most admirable well furnished Library of Books of all sorts and sciences This Theatre the House of Saevelli at present possess The said Augustus raised also the Banqueting house called Octavio in honour of his said Sister Octavia part whereof yet is on foot in the midst of the said Theatre where are some shops of Goldsmiths now but was formerly much more beautified by many rare statues as among others with a Satyr the work of Prasitelle the nine Muses of Timarchide and the Image of Iuno now placed in the Mansion of Iulius the third in the Via Flaminia Caesar Germanicus illustrated the said Banqueting House with the addition of a stately Temple dedicated to Speranza and Hope towards the Piaza Montanara to which was conjoined the Temple of Aurora much renowned among the Antients the very Footsteps whereof time and misfortune have razed out The House of Savelli in the Theatre of Marcellus possess a most rare piece being a Lyon cut in Marble with three Men Armed and prepared to fight him together with many other Marble Tablets And a garden very delicious wherein are several Pyles whereon the Labours of Hercules are engraven and divers Statues of Men and pieces of Mercury San Nicolo in Carcere formerly was the Prison for the common people but for that a Daughter expressed so much Piety to her Father there bound in chains as to nourish him many dayes with the milk from her own breasts Attilia Gabrione raised there a Temple dedicating it to Piety Santo Andrea in Mentuzza was in old times a Temple consecrated to Iuno Matura by Cornelius the Consul under the Campidoglio You may see the broken Bridge of Santa Maria Transteverina or AEgittiaca so named from the Neighbouring Church which was formerly called Ponte Senatorio and Palatino for that the Senators passed over that Bridge in religious manner to the Ianicolo to consult the Books of the Sybills and thence returned to the Court of the Emperours The House of Pilat placed near the Ponte Senatorio fabulously by the Vulgar if we make a narrower inspection and contemplate the most high ruine there appearing must needs have been the Sudatoria Laconica or hot Baths The Foro Olitorio is the Piazza Montonora where Evander erected an Altar in honour of Nicostrata Carmenta his mother The Church of Sancta Maria AEgittiaca formerly the Temple of Fortuna Virilis remains almost intire and unblemished having a long row of high Pillars on both sides Some report it to have been consecrated to Pudicitia Matronalis and that therein was the Bucca Veritatis which is esteemed a fabulous story and that ample round porphyr stone standing before the Greek Schools which they say was the Bucca veritatis conld be applyed to no other use then for a Chanel or receipt of waters as in divers other stones of the like form up and down the City used to the like occasions is most plainly apparent In the house of the Serlupi in the Fishstreet they shew a most compleat piece being the head of the Emperour Vespasian as big as a Gyants cut in white Marble In the next house appertaining to the Delfini are the heads of Lucius Verus and Marcus Aurelius of Bacchus of a Child laughing and of six others with some Urns and stones with remarkable inscriptions Of the place where the Asylum or sanctuary for refuge stood there is no Certainty because some place it in this part others in the Campidoglio wherefore no ampler account can be given of it upon a certain foundation San Stephano Rotondo which denomination it borrowed from the form of the Fabrick stands by Santa Maria AEgittiaca 't was built by Numa Pompilius and consecrated to Vesta t is sustained on every part by Corinthian
the greatest now extant in Rome whereon are engraven Boyes gathering Grapes which some call the Sepulchre of Bacchus but erroneously In the Via Nomentana a little farther is the Ponte Nomentano built by Narsetes the Eunuch under Justinian the Emperor as the inscription testifies Nero the Emperour between the Porta Suburbana and Salaria had Suburbano a singular edifice which he gave to a Freed Man who fearinga publique punishment by a poynard thrust into his brest and the help of Sporo another freed Man slew himself some ruines of this Fabrick yet remain Porta Querquetulana is now a Church near which appear square wals the Remains of the Castle deputed for the Souldiers stations apointed for the Emperors guards On the Viminale are seen the Baths of Dioclesian of an admired Vastness and sumptuosity which though much decayed are yet the most entire in Rome 'T is said that forty thousand Christians were in a servile manner turmoyled for fourteen yeers in the structure hereof Dioclesian and Maximinian began them but Constantine and Massiminian compleated them now called Alle Terme where appears a certain place made for receit of the waters employed in those Baths called Bacco di terme Dioclesian adjoined a Palace to them whose ruines manifestly shew themselves And here was that celebrious Library called Ulpa where the Elephantine books were disposed On the right hand of these Baths are the Gardens formerly appertaining to Cardinal Bellay but now to the Monks of the order of Saint Bernard to whose industry the ingenious owe the Invention and designes made by wind And on their left hand stands the Church of Santa Susanna in old time the Temple of Quirinus In this place they believe Romulus being praeascended into Heaven appeared to Proculus Julius then returning from Alba for which cause the Senate consecrated a Temple and attributed to him divine honours Here also ut aiunt Romulus frequently descended and communicated divers things to Alba. The foundations of the Olympiade Bathsyet continue near S. Lorenzo in Pane Perna vulgarly named Pamiperna where Decius the Emperors Pallace stood The Church S. Prudentia was built by Pius the fourth at the request of Santa Prascede his Sister where likewise appear the walls of the Baths Novati And the ruines of the Baths of Agrippina the Mother of Nero are yet extant by the Church S Vitalis In San Lorenzo in Proserpina shewes it self a great Marble Stone reverenced with great adoration and religion whereon ut aiunt the roasted body of San Lorenzo was repoâ—…ed after his death here lies buried Cardinal Cirketo the delight of the Learned of our times Beyond the Church S. Susanna by the Via Quirinale lay heretofore the gardens of Rodolfo Cardinal Carpente then which no part of Ita ly nay Naples it self where are the most excelling afforded more delicious In it were 134 statues engraven with divers artificial figures and other admirable curiosities so well disposed that no Fancy could reach that Paradise nor ocular view scarce apprehend its glory to say no more this garden was an Embleme of that Cardinal its Patron the son of Alberto Pio Prince of Carpi for as that exceeded most so his knowledge in antiquities and Learning was admired by all he wrote learnedly against Erasmus IL COLLE QURINALE or MONTE CAVALLO THis hill was so demonstrated from the Name Quiri or Curi a Family of the Sabines who marching among others under Statius their Captain to reside at Rome inhabited this hill now called Monte Cavalli from the artificial horses there yet visible T is divided from the Viminale by that way which conducts to the Porta S. Agnese Upon Monte Cavallo where were the Vineyards of the Cardinal of Estè now stands a Palace of the Popes admirable for the Grottoes walks Arbors and artificial Fountains The chief was the work of Pope Clement the 8th whereon is wrote the history of Moses in Mosaique work Here stand some old statues of the Muses and here you may hear one of those Organes called of old Hydraulici because they sounded by force of the Waters You ascend this Fountain by some steps upon the ballostres whereof stand certain Vessels which spout out water very high which in their fall present divers figures before it lies ample fish ponds with a Circle of Plain trees wch afford a thick and lovely shade in fine such is the the Variety of Marbles the excellency and fairness of the statues the diversity of the Inscriptions the beauty of the walks the pleasantness of the Fountains and the shade of the Groves in these pontifical Vineyards That the studious may find here fit objects for their Observations The Curious for their admiration and the Lovers of Solitude for their deportment and retreats Hence a little distant lies the Vineyard of Octavio Cardinal Bandini well kept and worthy a view And at the four fountains the Palace of the Mattei which hath some fair statues as well antient as modern Round about which lye several other Vineyards and Gardens as of the Teatini of the Colonna's and of Patriarca Biondo near which is the Church Saint Andrea repaired by the Jesuites where the B. Stanislao Kostka a Polach lies buried who there acomplished his days Upon this Mount stand two Collossus or statues as t were of Gyants holding two wild horses by a Bridle cut in Marble upon whose pilaster we read that they were the work of Phidia and Prasitelle from which horsestis called Monte Cavallo And the report goes that Tiridates King of the Armenians presented them to Nero who that he might entertain that stranger King worthily and according to the Roman splendor caused Pompeyes Theatre where he exhibited the Games for that Kings Solace and recreation in three days to be layed all over with silver Plates Which magnificence the King did not so much admire knowing well that in Rome were heaped up the riches of the world as the diligence and ingenuity of the workmen that in so short a time could perfect so noble ingenious a work which in him created astonishment Here the Benedictine Fryers had a comodious habitation which some time since they surrendred to the Apostolick Chamber opposite whereto is a Pontifical Palace built by Sixtus the 5th for their cool retreat in hot weather whence somewhat in the Vigna of the Colonnesi raiseth it self the Frontispiece of Neros Pallace vulgarly called Frontone di Nerone Hence Nero beheld the Fire which was by his own incendiaries kindled in the City of Rome which afterwards he imputed to the Christians that by this Calumny he might draw them into hatred with the Senate and People of Rome and by a publick edict commanded that as many as were apprehended confessing Christ for God should be burnt and excarnified in Neros gardens which Persecution continued three days On the other part of the Quirinale are many Arches Cels caves of different workmanship under ground the Reliques of the Emperor Constantines Baths of hot waters And
Cemeterio Cardino in the Via Latina That tra'due Lauri at S. Helena That of S. Ciriaco in the Via Ostiense But we must observe that Astolfo King of the Longobardi tearing up out of the earth about Rome the bodies of many Saints destroyed also their Cemeterii or burying places and that the Popes Paolo and Paschale reposed within the City in the Churches of S Stefano S. Silvestro and S Prascede many bodies of Saints then lying in those Cemeterii which were ruinated and layed wast And that the Christians were buried in the Cemeterii within Tombes and Sepulchres of Marble or of brick and of those Sepulchres some were hereditary others bestowed in gift and that at last places were assigned particularly for the Sepulture of Christians to wit Church-yards c. The Roman fixed stations granted by several Popes to divers Churches of Saints with great priviledges and Indulgencies THe first Sunday of the Advent is celebrated at Santa Maria Maggiore The second at S. Croce di Jerusalem The third at S. Pietro The Wednesday of that season at St. Maria Maggiore The Fryday at the Dodeci Apostoli The Saturday at S. Pietro The Vigils of the Nativity at S. Maria Maggiore In the first Mass of the Nativity at Santa Maria Maggiore al Presepio In the second Mass at S. Anastasia In the the third at S. Maria Maggiore On St. Stephens day at S. Stefano nel Monte Celio On St. John the Apostles day at S. Maria Maggiore The Feast of the Innocents at S. Paolo The day of the Circumcision of our Lord at Santa Maria beyond the Tyber The day of the Epiphany or Twelfe day after Christmass at S. Pietro The Septuagessima Sunday at S. Lorenzo without the Walls The Sexagessima Sunday at S. Paolo The Quinquagessima at Santo Pietro The first day of the Quadragessima or Lent at Santa Sabina The second at S. Gregorio The third at San Giovanni and Paolo The Saturday at S. Trisone The first Sunday of Lent at S. Giovanni Laterano The Munday at San Pietro in Vincola The Tuesday at Santa Anastasia The Wednesday at Santa Maria Maggiore The Thursday of Lent at S. Lorenzo in Panisperna The Fryday at the Santi Dodeci Apostoli The Satturdey at Santo Pietro The second Sunday of Lent at S. Maria in Domenica The Munday at San Clemente The Tuesday at Santa Sabina The Wednesday at Santa Cecilia The Thursday at Santa Maria in Transtevere The Friday at San Vitale The Satturday at the Santi Marcellino and Pietro The third Sunday of Lent at S. Lorenzo without the Walls The Munday at San Marco The Tuesday at Santa Potentiana The Wednesday at San Sisto The Thursday at the Santi Cosmo and Damiano The Fridry at S Lorenzo in Lucina The Saturday at Santi Susanna The Fourth Sunday of Lent at Santa Croce in Jerusalem The Munday at the Santi quatro Coronati The Tuesday at San Lorenzo in Damaso The Wednesday at San Paolo The Thursday at the Santi Silvestro and Martino The Friday at Santo Eusebio The Satturday at San Nicolo in Carcere The fifth Sunday in Lent called the Passion Sunday at San Pietro The Munday at San Grisogono The Tuesday at San Quirico The Wednesday at Santo Marcello The Thursday at Santo Apollinare The Friday at S. Stephano in Monte Celio The Satturday at San Giovanni before the Porta Latina The Palme Sunday at San Giovanni Laterano The Munday at San Prascede The Tuesday at Santa Prisca The Wednesday at Santa Prisca The holy Thursday at San Giovanni Laterano The good Fryday called Parasceve at Santa Croce in Hierusalem The Satturday at San Giovanni Laterano Easter day or the Sunday of the Resurrection of our Lord at Santa Maria Maggiore The Munday at San Pietro The Tuesday at San Paolo The Wednesday at San Lorenzo without the Walls The thursday at the Santi Dodeci Apostoli The Friday at Santa Maria Rotonda The Saturday before the Octave called Sabato in Albis at San Giovanni Laterano The Sunday of the Octave from Easter day called Domenica in Albis at San Pancratio The Feast of the Ascention at San Pietro The Vigil of the Pentecost at San Giovanni Laterano The Pentecost Sunday at San Pietro The Munday at San Pietro in Vincola The Tuesday at Santa Anastasia The Wednesday at Santa Maria Maggiore The Thursday at San Lorenzo without the Walls The Friday at the Santi Dodeci Apostoli And the Saturday of this week of Penticost at San Pietro The Wednesday of the Feasts in September at Santa Maria Maggiore The Friday at the Dodeci Apostoli The Satturday at San Pietro Besides which there are other stations for every Feast of those Saints Apostles Martyrs Confessors or Virgines to whom any Church is dedicated in Rome and for the most part those Churches on the daies of their Feasts are visited with a multitude of People his S. himself often celebrating Masse or at least being then present atended by a great number of Cardinals and Prelates Of the Vatican Library of the Pope THe Vatican Library of the Pope is every day frequented by learned Men and meritoriously for that it is filled with the most antient books in all the Professions as well Greek Latine and Hebrew as other Languages writtten with the pen in Parchment And t is certainly to be admired that those Popes under so many disgraces negociations Foreign and civil Wars and sackings of Rome should still apply their chiefest study and pain in heaping together Books and preserving those collections Sixtus the 5th in our time beautified and aggrandized it wonderfully adjoining to it a noble Fabrick and causing most excellent pictures to be drawn about it Which Guglielmo Bianco a French Man praiseth in a singular Poem and Fryer Angelo Rocca by way of History treates of it diffusely As also Onofrio Panuino of the same Order Many great Scholars have only desired favour from the Pope as to publish an Index of the Greek and Latine Books extant in that Library that by this means recourse might be had to Rome from all parts both for the enlightning and correcting Authors who have been altogether unseen or are els printed full of errors This the noble City Augusta permitted and by that publique Index set forth in vited all to go thither for comparing the uncorrected for their amendment How many bookes have Francis the first and Henry the second Kings of France sent forth to light How many benefits have the Republique of Scholars had from the Grand Duke of Tuscanies Bibliotheque and how much more advantage would all the world receive from such an Index of the Pontifical Library which is of splendidly royal Other Libraries there are also in Rome as that of the Capitol That which appertained to the Cardinal Sirleto now to Cardinal Colonna valeued at 20000. Crownes That of the Family of Sforza and that of the Farnesi abounding with Greek Authors We pass by many Libraries of private persons no less replenished with rare Books as that of Fulvio
come near him as is recorded in the 34th Chapter of Exodus To return then to our subject The Persian Kings had a Crown to be worn on their heads which Zonara sets down in greek by its proper name which can neither be commodiously expressed either in Latin or vulgar tongue and it was a capital offence among the Persians for any one to put the Kings Crown upon his head as Dion Chrysostomus denotes in his first oration De libertate servitute Likewise the priests of the Gentiles wore a crown upon their heads for demonstration of that repute which appertained to the splendidness and maintenance of their Sacerdotal office whence the Antients were stupified at a suddain view of the great Priest of the Comani to whom as Strabo writes was granted the first honour next the King and to wear a Royal Crown Besides in Emesa a City of Phoenicia the Priests went clad with a long robe having a Crown of pretious stones of various colours in token of Majesty upon their heads Which Ornament Antoninus being made Emperor of the Romans by the multitude the Souldiery and the Priests of the Sun would not part with again as Herodianus in libro quinto clearly proves and so afterwards the Emperors of Constantinople triumphing elected this ornament which was called by a proper name as we read in the life of Basilius Porfirogenitus Triumphum duxit tiara tecta quam illi tuphum appellant although some modern Authors call it Calipora as saies Niceforus Gregorius in libro sexto Or Bishops then having two royal Dignities to wit the spiritual and temporal deservedly wear a double crown as Innocent the third in his third sermon De coronatione Pontificis confirms saying that the Popebears the Mitre in token of the spiritual power and the Crown in testimony of the Temporal both which are conferred upon him by God omnipotent King of Kings and Lord of Lords But let us examine a little whether the Mitre and the Crown are Ornaments adapted to the Ecclesiastical customs The mitre by Suidas is called the swathe or Fillet of the head bound about with gold and silver as Brissonius explains and Eusebius in his second book the first Chapter calls it a shelter with which Saint James the Apostle called the Brother of our Lord was suddainly adorned when by the Apostles he was chosen and consecrated Bishop of Jerusalem which Ornament although it took beginning with Aaron Priest of the Hebrew Law is nevertheless received into the Christian Church to the end that therewith the Bishops of all Nations may be adorned Policrates Ephesinus wore the Mitre as Eusebius in the 31st Chapter of the third Book relates as Priest of Ephesus and likewise the other Priests wore almost all the Ornaments of the antient Priests as the Robe and the Mitre that they might appear the more adorned and majestick saies Eusebius in his Book whereof Amalarius Rabanus and others the gravest Authors treat more amply What we have spoken touching the Mitre is without contradiction and is held for truth by the consent of many and sundry Nations but what is to be spoken touching a Kingdome and a Royal Crown is not so perspicuous to all wherefore to our best power we will endeavour to manifest the same Then first is to be observed that t is the common opinion of all that this sort of Ornament upon the head of the Pope had its original from the Emperor Constantine the Great as appears in the Acts of San Silvestre the Pope the same opinion is also embraced by all other Roman Bishops as by Leo the ninth in the 13. chapter of his Epistle against the presumption of Michaele and Innocent the third in his first Sermon of the blessed Silvester confirms That Constantine the great at his departure from Rome to Constantinople would have bestowed his own Crown upon San Silvester which he refused but in lieu thereof put a covering upon his head entirely circular and a little after Innocent follows in words to this sence And for this cause the Roman Bishop in testimony of Empire wears a Regal crown called in Latin Regnum and in testimony of his Pontificacy he wears a Mitre which is most convenient for him in all times and places universally because the spiritual power hath been ever esteemed for the Prior more worthy and more great then the Temporal And reason will yeeld that San Silvester would not wear that Crown but such a one as only covered the Temples in respect his head was shaven as the Popes ought to be Which shaving gave good reason that t was not decent to wear such a Diadem but rather that circular covering which he chose named properly Tiara Phrigia whereof Juvenal speaks in his sixth satyr saying Et Phrygia vestitur buca tiara Which Ornament may be supposed to be borrowed either from Phrygia or Phoenicia as we please because the Phrigians had their original from the Phoenicians And that this was given the Pope by the Emperor Constantine the great is most evident in the Acts of San Silvester where the Emperor reckons up those things that he had bestowed on the Pope and being come to this gives it the name Phrygium as t was its proper name but in respect t was not manifest to all what thing Phrygium denoted he explains himself in the sence by us set down saying et Phrygium nempe tegmen capitis sive Mitram This particular required so much explanation for that Theodorus Balsamones confounding the signification of Phrygium by joining it with the subsequent Lorum which imports a perfect different thing hath caused many to erre in beleeving that Phrygium and Lorum put together do denote Pallium the Cope which Arch Bishops wear by the concession of the highest Bishop But t is not convenient for us to dwell longer upon the dispute let the intelligent read the latin Itinerary in this place where they 'l meet an ample discourse upon the significations of these words Other authors will have that this Crown came not from Constantine but from Clodoveo as they labour to draw from Segeberto under the yeer of our Lord 550. who speaks to this sence Clodoveus the King received from Anastasius the Emperor the Codicils of the Consulacy a Crown of Gold with Jewels and the red garment and on that day he was called Consul and King but the same King sent to Saint Peter at Rome the Crown of Gold with the Jewels the Royal Ensigne which is called Regnum Armonius also confirms in his first book the 24th Chapter that from Clodoveus the Pope had the Crown and Anastasius the Library Keeper under Pope Hormisda testifies that Saint Peter received many gifts In whom I have read that in the yeer 776 that Philip the first Pope and Constantine the second Pope were both consecrated in San Peters Church but we must observe that the antient Authors under the word consecration understand also the ceremony of coronation for that when they
there and that to her was erected a Tombe and she there reverenced and annually adored with sacrifices â—…nder the Title of a Goddesse in form of a Bird. And we certainly know that therefore the Syrens were adored as Goddesses among the tutelary Gods the placeby the Campaâ—…i over all that tract of Magna Grecia and this in the flower of the Roman Empire I remember furthermore that many yeers since I saw in Naples the Syren carved together with Ebone and Sebeto tutelary Gods of the Neapolitans upon a round marble Altar which is now placed in the receptacle of the fountain water lying on the extremity of the Mole in the port of Naples besides which said opinions there are of those as Diodorus Siculus and Oppianus who hold that Naples was built by Hercules and Oppiâ—… in particular alluding to the name of the City in his poeme of hunting calls Naples the new Camp of Hercules In fine all writers concur in this that she is a most antient City and was famous before Rome flourishing among the most illustrious greek Cities of Italy for the Pythagorean philosophy Afterwards the Roman Empire spreading it self over Italy because she most forwardly submitted her self to it whilst they were in agitation to subject Campania the Romans received her among the other free and confederate Cities and Livy affirms as well as many other Authors that she from that time constantly continued her Friendship and observed that Faith which at the first she had given to the Romans Furthermore the affaires of the Republique being reduced to a bad state in the sixth yeer of the Câ—…rthaginian war she not only resolved not to withdraw it self from the Romans in despight of the near lying Capua and the other rebellious Cities but also as the said Livy relates sent Embassadors to Rome and by them would have presented as an Act of Liberality and Noblenesse to the Senate then in Court forty Goblets of Gold of great weight and therewith offered force riches and in sum all whatever their Ancestors had left them in aid assistance and defence of the Empire and City of Rome To which Embassadors then with all demonstration of courtesy were returned great thanks and only one of those Goblets retained and that also weighed the least of them wherefore for her great and constant fidelity was she ever esteemed held and honoured among the free and Confederate Cities of Italy as well in the times of the Consuls as under the Emperors she Capua being opprest subdued and reduced to the servitude of the Praefectura augmented sufficiently and most happily enjoyed for a long time the fruits of her fidelity Hither as Strâ—…bo instructâ—…us the youth to intend their studies and many ancient men to enjoy quiet and tranquility of mind were wont to retire themselves from Rome as to the purpose Silius Italicus and before him Horatins Flacâ—…us to the same sung saying Nunc nidles urbi ritus atque hospita Musis Otia exemptum curis gravioribus aeuum Italy affords not a place enjoying so milde and benigne a heaven as Naples having a double spring yeerly in flowers which the surrounding Fields produce plentifully as also great variety of Fruits and those the most prized participating no small quantity of fountains and springs and of healthfull and good waters to say no more t is scarce to be believed a natural thing but wonderfull how infinite is their abundance and therefore with good reason may she be called the Paradise of Italy which particulars have chiefly been the inviting argument for so many Emperours Kings Princes and ingenuous Persons to make their frequent applications and residence here and to this day t is reckoned the third City of Italy and the delights which nature hath allowed this place are so great that meritoriously is she stuft with so many proud Palaces and stately houses of Princes and other Grandees who reside in them the most part of the yeer T is most perspicuous and known to all that Titus Livius the Padouan Historian Q. Horatius Flaccus Statius Papinius Claudins Claudianus all famous Poets Annius Seneca the Philosopher and infinite others who have rendred themselves immortal by their wits and learned writings retired to Naples for their better and more due attention to their studies We read furthermore that P. Virgilius Maro lived most sweetly for a long space in Naples and there composed his Georgicks as at the end of his fourth book may be collected Illo Virgilium me tempore dulcis alebat Parthenope studiis florentem ignobilis ori He dying in Brindesi commanded that his body should be hither conveighed and buried in Naples as we learn from divers testimonies of old Poets Servius his Comentator writes that Virgils Sepulchre lies two miles distant from Naples in the way of Pozznolo near the gurge of that subterranean cave the famous Grot under Pausilipus now the Inhabitants shew the place in the gardens of San Severinus over the door of the garden is this inscription Maronis Urnam Cum adjacente Monticulo extensaque ad Cryptam Planitie Modiorum trium cum dimidio circiter Urbano VIII annuente c. Renovanda Mem. Praesentis Concessionis singulis XXVIII annis in actis Cur. Archiepiscopalis Virgils Tombe is built in a Rotunda or Cupola about five paces long on the infide the walls are of brick in square after the Roman way the outside of massive stone covered over with bushes and among them three or four bay trees an immortal testimony of the Prince of Poets there interred shoot forth about a mans heighth round it lye scattered ruines testifying its formers beauty in the Rock just opposite to the entrance where his known Epitaph of Mantua me genuit was that being decayed is placed a Marble stone with these Verses STAISI Cencoviâ—…s 15. 89. Qui Cineres Tumuli haec vestigia conditur olim Ille hoc qui cecinit Pascua rura Duces Can. Rec. MDLIIII What dust lies here this Heap protects his Hearse Who whil'ome Warbled Fields Farms Fights in Verse The Crypta Neapolitana a perfect signe of the Roman magnificence is the Rocky mountain Pausilipus cut thorough very high spatious and well paved so that for the space of a mile two Coaches may go on front under ground From the garden of San Severinus you may see the house of Attius Sincerus Sannallarius the Poet emulous of Virgil which by his testament was made a Monastery whose Church is called Della Beate Virgine therein stands a marble Sepulchre car ved with great industry on the one side is Orpheus or Apollo on the other the Sybil or the Muse wrought of white marble and here read this Epigram of Cardinal Pietro Bembo Da sacro cineri Folres hic ille Maroni Sincerus Musa proximus ut tumulo Vixit annos 72. Obiit anno 1530. To return to Naples t is a City at this time no lesse famous for the nobility and magnificence of her Citizens inhabitants then for the vast
a seige and severely chastised for the perfidie and ingratitude it exercised from which was then taken its government and liberty and annually sent thither from the Roman people a prefect to govern them which happened the five hundred forty second yeer after Romes building when many Castles and Cities ran the like fortune with it for that they had with arms defended Hannibal as Titus Livius sets down wherefore Sextus Pompeiuâ—… sets Pozzuolo among the ten Praefectures of Campania on which the Roman People every yeer imposed Governors for all which some yeers after they passed farther by disposition of the Acilian Law to with that they sent thither a Colony of Roman Citizens and made it one of the five maritimate Colonies which were drawn from Rome in the five hundred and fifty ninth yeer by force of the Laws of the said Acilius the Tribune as is clear in Titus Livius being then Consuls Publiuâ—… Scipio Africanus writes the second time and Titus Sempronius Vellejus Paterculus from the opinion of some that the Colony was later sent thither to wit 3 lustres or 15 yeers after the above written time and addes that in sum the verity is not punctually known Yet verily the old memorials of Pozzuolo copious enough in the house of Hadrianus Guilernus the most courteous learned and curious beyond measure in antient histories wholly agree with Titus Livius where is extant one of those stone Tablets containing the second Law the Regulation of publick edifices and expences there to be had which was made in the Consulacy of P. Rutilius and Cn. Mallius Maximus the six hundred forty and eight yeear as the Faâ—…ti Capitolini demonstrate which happened in the ninth yeer after the conduct of that Colony to Pozzuolo as these words set down on the beginning of the said Law clearly prove Ab Colonia deduct a anno XC N. Eufidio N. F. M. Pullio Duum vir R. Rutilio Cn Mallio Cos. Operum Lex II. From which words we clearly comprehend that the comencement of this Colony was under the Consulacy of Martius Portius Cato and L. Flaccus in the five hundred forty eighth yeer although Livius sets it down to have been the following yeer Augustus being at last become Conqueror in the Civil wars having restored peace and shut up the Temple of Janus for reward of the veteran Souldiers disposed them into the 28 Colonies of Italy among which Pozzuolo was one then made a military Colony as Suetonius writes and as may be drawn from the fragment of the Military Colonies From the above written observations is certainly known how antient the Colony of Pozzuolo is and that many times Inhabitants were thither sent and inrolled And therefore this Author holds for very imperfect and ill treated from the insufficiency or inobservancy of the remembrancer what Tacitus sets down in the fourteenth book of his Annals and so Justus Lipsius thinks also for in the acts of Rome in the eighth hundred and twelfth yeer the Emperor Nero and Cossus Lentulus being Consuls we find these words of Tacitus At in Italia vetus oppidum Puteoli jus Coloniae cognomentum a Nerone adipiscuntur adding no more as if Pozzuolo for no preceding time had the quality of a Colony whereas Titus Livius clearly proves it to have been in that condition two hundred and forty yeers before but these two may be easily reconciled by the adjusting of one single word to wit the writing it verus instead of vetus in these words At in Italia verus Oppidum Puteoli novum jus Coloniae coguomentum a Nerone adipiscuntur for that being at first called Colonia Augusta with Nero it was called Augusta Neroniana and thence t is that Tacitus saies that Pozzuolo obtained a new condition with a new name but Tacitus not explaining the occasion why then a Colony was sent thither or who gave it new condition and what that condition was the place seems to want more then one word and because the particle At separates the word afore specified and the difference of things and the particle non tamen is placed in the midst of the period which followes this place is therefore believed defective and that therefore these words set a cloud before the eyes and scruples in the studies of the curious which this Author hath thought not easily removable without some supplement to that place of Tacitus to the effect following viz. At in Italia verus Oppidum Puteoli novum ius Coloniae cognomentum adipiscuntur aequè cladem passi Queis irritâ—…m Principis beneficium facere Coloni ex diversis legionibus undecunque coaâ—…ti numero licet frequentes ut veterem Tarentium Antium adscripti non tamen infrequentiae locorum subvenere dilapsis pluribus in Provincias in quibus stipendia expleverant And thus will the diffe rence be known between what â—…ell out to Pozzuolo and what to Laodicea by the copulation At of which Cities this returned to its proper state by its own power the other not although it assisted the Prince as did happen to Tarento and Antio the occasion of which misfortune Tacitus gratiously declares The learned are intreated to have due consideration of this place and to note the defects with a stelletta To return then to our first purpose the Author when he copied out those in scriptions whilest there permanent it occurred to him that a Colony was of new conducted to Pozzuolo under the Empire of the Vespasiani and was called Flavia for that he espied among those old stones a great square marble one engraven with letters of a foot long a piece the which by being continually exposed to the surges of the Sea hath its characters almost eaten out yet not so wholly but that one may read the third part of the elogy inscribed in the old Marble Arch the which the Flavian Colony erected to express a gratefull sence to Antonius Pius Caesar for his liberality in restoring the ports which part of the Elogy will hereafter be repeated In the mean time behold in Pozzuolo and its neighbourhood the meritorious objects Among others a vasâ—… Church now entitled S. Proculo Martire the which of old Calphurnius had dedicated to Augustus Caesar t is built in a corinthian order as may be understood by the Porticue containing one peice of the old title in the frontispeice in these words L. Calphurnius L. F. templum Augusto cum ornamentis D. D. All Authors question who this Calphurnius the Son of Lucius was chiefly for that there were so many Calphurnij and they famous in the time of Augustus and if it be lawfull to make use of conjecture none comes nearer then mine that L. Calphurnius Son of Lucius called Pisone Frugi after he had been Consul and Prefect of Provinces was also Prefect of Rome after T. Statilins Taurus who was twice Consul and triumphed he exercised this very charge in the time of Augustus and Tiberius for twenty yeers as Tacitus in the fifth Book of his
Annals sets forth who writes that his father was a man appertaining to the Censor whence t is impssioble but L. Pisone must have been his Father of whom the eloquent tongue of Cicero speaks so much ill as that he was banished whilst he was Consul He was then Censor in the seuen hundred fifty and third yeer whilst Caesar Dictator warred against the confederates of Pompey Among all the greatest charges and employments which the Calphurnian family participated they only twice administred the Censorship The first time L. Pisone Frugi was Censor after the Consulacy in the 695 yeer of Rome who being Tribune of the People prevailed for that Law against the rapine of the Provincial Magistrates and the second time fifty eight yeers after This Temple is so well built that in the space of so many ages neither Time the consumer of all things nor the insolencies of enemies who have many times destroyed the rest of the City have been able to ruinate which could not come otherwise to passe theâ—… from the beams being composed of marble in which scarce a fastning appears yet the impetuous force of the earthquakes have in part moved it out of order in such sort that the right angle of the Frontispiece is faln with a part of the Title where certain ruptures appear Of such esteem was this Fabrick that the architectors were not ashamed the work being finished to place their name there being Luccio Cocino Liberta of Luca and Caio Postumi as we read in the left wall of the Church in these words L. Cocceius C. Postumi L. Auctus Architect Many other holy sacred places that were therein are either faln to nothing or at least wise very badly handled The Temple of Neptune as Cicero affirms was the most famous of which some great Fragments to this day remain near San Francesco as vaults arches huge wals other places with their nooks for the statues but its columns and high ornaments of marble are taken away Also near the Amphitheatre are the footsteps ruines of a Temple which Antonius Pius Augustus had erected to Adrian the Emperor his Father who dyed at Baia in the Mannor house of Cicero as Spartianus relates Some yeers last past many fair statues and vast peices of Columnes and Marbles were amoved together with the Elogies of Nerva Trajan and Adrian the Emperors that is to say of the Father Grandfather and great Grand-Father to whom Antonius having created them Gods had 〈◊〉 sacerdotal sacrifices of the Flamins and their companions and hence some believe he obtained the surname of Pius the Pious as we are instructed from the aforesaid Spartianus and by Julius Capitolinus The Temple of the NYMPHES extant on the Sea Shore without POZZVOLO IT seems very likely that either the Sea or Earthquakes have swallowed up the temple of the Nymphs the which we read in the 8th Book of Philostratus Cennius in the life of Apo lonius Tianeus Domitianus the Emperour built on the sea shore without Pozzuolo he writes that t was built with white stone and that of old t was famous for divination and that in it was found a fountain of running spring water from the which though any quantity were taken away t was never perceived to diminish but this with â—…nfinite other antiquities is now gone to nothing yet now is evident at a little distance from the Land near the Via Campana in the Sea a fountain of sweet water which gurgles to this day with great force whose source may be alwaies perceived almost to admiration if the Sea be quiet and calm let the studious of antiquity consider if in this place the Temple of the Nymphes may have been which conjecture will not seem far from truth upon weighing the words of Philostratus who relates that Apolloneus Trineus appeared to his two Dâ—…sciples Damides and Demetrius was in the Temple of the Nymphes on the Sea shore without Pozzuolo who were disputing the nature of the abovenamed fountain where also is the Island of Calissus to whom the successes of what happened with Ulisses they relate in the fables Furthermore as t were in the midst of the Colony remains yet a most huge Amphitheatre little lesse then entire composed of squared stones the which not withstanding its ill treatment by earthquakes the taking away many of its stones and the plowing of its soyl yet appears in its first form enlarged into a more lâ—…rge circuit then was usual for the Emperors Leandro Alberto saies that by measuring he found it to be in length in the plain within 172 foot in bredth only 92. foot Ferrante Loffredo Marques of Trevico affirms this the most antient Amphitheatre supposing it to be built before Rome lost its liberty under the Emperours from an old inscription in marble there found demonstrating under what Consuls this Fabrick was repaired at the publick expence of the Citizens of Pozzuolo which inscription although much sought for by me I had not the good hap to see Many fragments of Acqueducts are yet to be seen which either passed through or surounded the Mountains nor is it an easy matter to number the conserves for the waters made in divers formes some entire and some ruinated by earthquakes many of which are under ground and very large which who enters without a clue of thread a light or a well practised guide may dwell there for ever so intricate are the labyrinths built without gates heads or turning streets from which we may assuredly know that the Romans with vast expence thither drew and therein preserved great plenty of those sweet waters abounding on that Maritimate coast The vulgar unskilled in old history as in all things very ignorant have most injuriously expressed themselves in giving ridiculous names to these edifices calling them Piscine mirabili wonderfull fishpools Cento Celle the hundred Cells and Grotte Draconarie Dragons Caves Soe also have they handled the fountains and baths in number forty or more between Pozzuolo Misseno and Cuma of divers sorts and efficacious for sundry diseases But t is not our purpose to look back and take notice by one and one of these things having already set forth whatever is there rare and worthy view we shall therefore referre such as desire more ample and compleat satisfaction in the like objects to Leandro Alberto and the other writers herein before mentioned The description of the Antient Port of POZZUOLO SUch and so great wonders as here by degrees present themselves to the view of the Traveller as he approaches the Sea side may well entertain him for like mountains in the waters rise the immense moles of the old Port that is thirteen immense Piles which spring out of the water like square Towers which in old time were conjoyned in manner of a bridge by frequent arches but now by fortune and antiquity those gross engines are separated and the falling down of some of the Arches renders it unpassable from one to the other which
testifies in the 15th book of his Annals whose vast foundations remain to this day under their old name neare the Temple of Venus That of Pompey they say was on the third Mountain between the Avernus and the contiguous Tritullian hot baths whence the surname they yet retain and there some yeers since was found a statue of Pompey The Villa Academica of Marcus Tullius CICERO Pliny in the second Chapter of his thirty first book declares that the Villa of Cicero made so famous by his writings was in these quarters between the Avernus and Pozzuolo upon the Sea shore with a most delicious grove and a spacious hall to walk in wherefore Cicero called it an Academy in imitation of that at Athens wherein they ordinarily disputed walking Here Cicero made his sepulchres and so much was he pleased with it that he often spoke of it and entitled some of his books from it Questiones Academicae Academick questions Atticus being in Athens Cicero in almost every letter recommended his Academy that he might send to him from Greece whatever could be had for ennobling it with fair ornaments wherein Atticus failed not according to the occasions in statues pictures and other the like ornaments Whence Cicero in his Epistle ad Attiticum praiseth his diligence and the things sent him Cicero being retired hither in the calamitous times of the Republique to spend away the time toyl and troubles with Books many of the Principal Romans repaired thither to visit him and take some counsel Of them was C. Caesar after the victory he obtained in the civil warr C. Octavius the Successour of Julius yet before he made himself Emperour with infinite others but after that Cicero was banished the Villa Academica was possessed by C. Antistius who was the Legat of Caesar and followed his faction in the civil wars A little after Ciceroes death in his Villa sprung up fountains of hot water good among other things for the eyes and sight celebrated by Tullius Taureus the freeman of Cicero with an Epigram set down among the works of Pliny who wrote this successe and judged that Epigram worthy of memory We must believe that this Villa stood where now the Stadio is taking that name from the length of Ciceroes hall whose ruines yet remain so distinctly as that it may be measured how long t was and although this Stadio seem to stand too far from the Sea in respect of that we read touching Ciceroes Academy yet this will not create any difficulty since the Sea may be in so long a space of time through divers causes retired because truely this Villa in Ciceroes time stood over water at leastwise conducted from the Sea by certain channels so that he eating at table might cast into the waters for the fish to eat angle and fish at his pleasure The hot fountains are extant in a neere field in a cavern underground at the root of the hill which are also of wonderfull nature because they increase and decrease according to the flowing and ebbing of the sea by day and by night in their increase they cast abundance of water into the bath and when full part of the water returns to the fountain and part runs into the Sea by a certain small chanel or gutter made to that purpose This Bath vulgarly called Bagno Ciceroniano the Ciceronian bath and by phisicians Praetense or Tritulliano is as gallant and entire an antiquity as any in the Tract of Pozzuolo These waters were so soveraign not many years since over most diseases that over every bath was written for what cures t was good of which inscription some letters yet stand but the phisicians of Palermo as they tell the story finding those waters prejudicial to their custom went with instruments expresly demolish't those writings so that for the present they are unusefull the said phisicians being all cast away in their return Thus much shall suffice touching Ciceroes famous Villa for that Leander and other writers treat sufficiently of its nature and others thereabouts From the commencement of Ciceroes Academical questions is comprehended that the Villa of Ter. Varro a most learned Roman was not far distant but the determinate place is unknown The Villa of SERVILIUS VATIA SEneca demonstrates in his fifty second Epistle to Lucullus that on the shore between Cuma and the Lake Avernus stood the Villa of Servilius Vatia the magnificence and vastness of which Fabrick may be comprehended from the fragments yet extant He saies two Caves were here built with great expence into the one whereof the Sun never entred and on the other it shone from morning to night into which ran a delicious water through as pleasant a Meadow with many Fish Hither Servilius a noble and rich Man retired himself at such time as Tiberius Caesar afflicted many noble Romans and applyed himself to honest Labour far from Rome in peace for which he was styled happy and obtained the fame of knowledge in his affaires above others by that meanes avoyding dangers Touching the dead and other notable things others have abundantly writ let this therefore suffice for the purpose of the Baianian celebrious Villa's since of the other particulars in the times of those old Roman Princes t is impossible to treat exactly all things being so wholly ruinated and destroyed that scarce any footsteps remain The old City of BAIA The most fair foundations and pitched Piazzaes of the old City Baia lye underneath the waters scarce any fragments remaining on the Land but in the neighbouring Mountains in every corner lye baths hot baths and structures of Admirable Architecture notwithstanding that many great Fabricks were burnt many thrown down by earthquakes and many swallowed up by the Earth In the Sea may be clearly seen the great old Piles of the Port of Baia like those of Pozzuolo built of Brick with intollerable expence which now seem like Rocks as do the enclosures and foundations which of old stood for defence of the Lakes Lucrinus and Avernus against the storms of the Sea which was genenerally believed to be made in this manner to wit that Hercules by his strength upon two carts abrest drew as large a peice of Earth as was requisite and that a mile in length to the place and there fixed it and therefore Posterity for a perpetual remembrance and acknowledgement of so great a benefit erected to him a Round Temple near Bauli whereof some fragments yet are extant But afterwards that repair being wasted by the Sea C. Caesar again restored and bettered it as may be collected from Virgils Georgicks and from Servius his Commentator with whose opinion Suetonius seems to accord saying that Augustus perfected the Julian Port near Baia whence t is supposed that Julius Caesar had first setled it which must have been in his first Consuâ—…lship by Commission of the Senate who gave him that charge at the instance of the Receivers of the Customs and Tolls upon their allegation that the
the second time as Livius relates or the following yeer when Pirrhus began to reign as Velleius Paterculus will have it Vast ruines of this City lye disperst on every side there but chiefly towards the Sea where the footsteps of a large port also appear T was a renowned City having a healthfull air and some salutiferous hot fountains for which the Poet Silius stâ—…les Sinvessa luke warme these fountains are now denominated Bagni Gaurani but Tacitus calls them Sinvessan waters saying in the 12th book of his Annals that Claudius the Emperor being restored to his sences caused himself to be conveighed to Sinvessa for recovering his health hoping and depending much on the goodnesse of the aire and the benefit of the Sinvessian waters when his wife Agrippina had prepared for him those poisoned mushrooms which himself and his Son Brittanicus eat This Agrippina was Daughter of the noble Germanicus Sister to Caligula and by him abused she was first married to Domitius by whom she had Nero afterwards to Claudius whom with his Son as aforesaid she poisoned that her Son Nero might be Emperor But her falshood abomination cruelty was not unpuni'sht by that Son who though he had joined her in equal authority with himself and carnally known her as some suppose yet caused her to be most cruelly slain after sundry attempts to do it privately and with least trouble and pain to her Tacitus saies further in the first book speaking of the histories of his time That Onofrius Tigillinus one of the principal actors of Nero the Emperours misdeeds had the wezel pipe of his throat cut near the waters of Sinvessa whilst disporting himself among his Concubines he least thought of any such thing MINT URNE The River Garigliano being passed wherein the Scille or Seashrimp or prauns are taken a sweet little fish held very delitious by the Romans you may see the reliques of Minturnae of old a most flourishing Colony of the Romans and among them the footsteps of vast publique and Private Fabricks some despoiled of the marble which embelâ—…ished them and some entire As a very sumptuous Aqueduct a Theatre with its Scenes and all other necessary parts a work after the antient way of building but solid An Amphitheatre with its accomodation for sitting one seat above another but despoiled of its marble wherwith for ought appears the 〈◊〉 â—…rajetto standing on the neighbouring hill hath been adorned and fortified which Amphitheater is now used as an inclosed pasturage for goats and sheep Therein lye great footsteps of Walls and Towers great arches over gates and vast foundations of edifices from whence we easily collect she hath a been potent and noble City This place hath acquired an illustrious fame also from that great victory which the Christians there obtained against the Saracens and Infidels under the Captains of the Christian Army Pope John the 10 and Albericus Marquess of Tuscany when all Italy was delivered from that cursed people except Monte Gargano whither such as could escape fled and possessed it a long time after robbing both by sea and land At the mouth of the river Garigliano was the sacred wood where the Minturnesi honoured the Nymph or Goddesse Marica the wife of Faunus to whom on the banks they built a proud Temple whereof nought now remains no more then of the honourable City Venista or of Ausonia a most noble City which was so named of Auson the Son of Ulâ—…sses and Calypso which City afterwards gave name to all Italy over all which it also Lorded which Cities stood in those parts along the aforesaid river LE PALVDI MINTVRNESI THe adjacent Fenns now Medows called Minturnesi are famous for that they reduce to memory a notable example of the various changes of Fortune which was that C. Marius who had been seaven times Consul and had seaven times triumphed had the good hap to abscond himself therein for saving his life where notwithstanding he was found by a Frenchman an Enemy but one that had not the boldnesse to offend him being terrified and put to fear by the Majestick aspect and noble presence of that great man Whence Marius having reached a ship passed into Affrick whereof Juvenal speaks concisely in these words Exilium carcer Minturnarumque palludes Et mendicatus victa Carthagine panis FORMIA Thence the Via Appia leads by Hercoleana to Formia which way is very pleasant but the Castle Mola now stands near if not in the place where Formia of old stood Mola takes its name from the many Mills grinding in that quarter by reason of the quantity of water The Countrey is such that a more delicious cannot be fancied wherfore Martial saies O temperatae dulce Formiae littus And a little after follows Hic summa legistringitur Thesis vento Nec languet aequor viva sed quies Ponti Volaterrannâ—…s and others well skilled believe that here was the Villa Formiana appertaining to Cicero famous for his slaughter there which opinion cannot well be contradicted because the Epitaphs inscriptions reliques of antiquity on the Appia and near Towns demonstrate that the City Formia was there but chiefly these words to be read on the basis of a Statue in that place following Imp. Caesari Divi Hadriani Filio Divi Trajani Parthici Nep. Divi. Nervae Pronepoti Tito AElio Hadriano Antonino Aug. Pio. Pont. Max. Tr. Pont. XI Cos. III. II. P. P. Formiani Publicè Strabo Pliny Solinus and other historians concurring say that the Lacedaemonians built Formia in the antient Territories of the Lestrigoni and therefore Silius Italicus calls it the house of Antifata because there Antifata the Son of Janus and Nephew of Neptune ruled over the Lestrigoni and first called it Hormia which in their Language signified a comodious port which that was The Lacedaemonians were afterwards subjugated by the Campani and they by the Romans who reduced that with Capua into the form of a Prefecture yet leaving Formia in Liberty or free and making her participate of the Roman honours for some time as Livins in his 33 book at last in the civil warrs Formia was made a Roman Colony and reduced with many others in Italy into Castles and Forts as Frontinus saies by the Triumvirate Caesar Antonius and Lepidus T was most flourishing in the time of the Emperors through the goodnesse of the air it in joyed as Horace Martial and other authors worthy credit relate which may also be conjectured from the more noble structures now extant In the end the Saracens destâ—…oyed it with many other Cities in Campania or the Terra di Lavoro when Pope Gregory the 4th translated the Fpiscopacy to Gaiela And thus then pursueth the Via Appia leading to Fondi VELLETRI VElletri was an antient and potent Castle of the Volsci whereof the Roman histories frequently speak Livius and Dionysius Hallicarnasseus say that Velletri was besieged and enforced to yeild to Ancus Martius King of the Romans and Livy adds further that t was severely
Sublaco which Lakes Tacitus seems to call Simbrivini saying in the 14th Book of his Annals that near them stood the Villa Sublacense of Nero in the confines of Tivoli from which Lakes the Aniene running afterward through woods and mountains falls at last in the plain near Tivoli from high stones with fury and noise then it goes some space under ground and at the foot of the mountain returns all again above ground it runs through the three sulphurious veins called Albule from their white colour T is said and Strabo confirms the water there to be medicinal in drinking or Bathing and Pliny writes that they heal the wounded Nor does the Albule only but also the Albunea above Tivoli consolidate wounds Regarding the Campania of Tivoli about the Aniene you will find huge stones encreased by little and little in long time by vertue of the waters running by and in the bottome of Lakes there you 'l find of hard stones generated by the same means In this confine are many footsteps of old edifices worthy contemplation Tivoli having been a most noble City and well Inhabited through the beauty of its scite the goodnesse of its soyle and the salubrity of the aire which made it be surrounded with the fair Villa's and Lordly houses of the rich persons of that Country although now like Rome and all Italy also it lies waste and ruinated by the various warrs and successes which have destroyed it T is certain that Greeks were the builders of this City but who they were is not certain the writers of the Italian antiquities not agreeing herein yet the greater part say that Catillo was its founder who some say was of Arcadia and Captain of Evanders Navy Others affirm Argivâ—…s the son of Amfiardo the Southsayer after the prodigious death of his Father near Thebes came by command of the oracle with his family and Gods long before the Trojane warr into Italy and by the assistance of the Enotri Aborigeni drove the Sicâ—…li out of that place naming the Castle taken from them Tibâ—…re from his eldest sons name Nor does Pliny much disagree from this though he does not wholly agree with it for in the 16th of his natural History writing of the ages of Trees he saies that in his time there stood 3 Holme Trees by Tivoli near to which Tiburtio the builder of that Castle had received augure to build it But saies he was the Nephew not the Son of Amfiardo and that he came with his two Brothers Lora and Catillo one age before the Trojane warr and that he there caused the Castle to be built calling it after his own name because he was the elder in which opinion Virgil in his AEneides seems to concur but Horatiâ—…s on the other part calls Tivoli the walls of Catillus pursuing the others opinion from which expressions we conjecture that the City Tivoli was before Rome Those of Tivoli held Hercules in reverence above the other idols as Protector of the Graecian people at whose festivity infinite people resorted thither In it was also a Temple for the Sorti lotts or chances no lesse famous for their oracles then that in Bura or in Achaia a countrey of Morea mentioned by Pausanias whence the Poet Statius saies that such was the beauty of the place that even the Sorti Prenestini would have chosen it for giving their answers had not Hercules first possessed the place Thâ—…se are his words Quod que in templa dâ—…rent alias Tyrinthia sortes Et Prenestinae poterant migrare sorores He calls the Sorti Sisters for that good and bad Fortune were reverenced as two Sisters T is thought that Temple under the mountain in the way of Tivoli was that famous Temple of Hercules but this people had another Temple dedicate to the same God yet called Hercules Saxanus as appears by the subsequent inscription found in a Piazza attaqued to a particular house Herculi Saxano sacrum Ser. Sulpicius Trophimus AEdem Zothecam Culinam Pecunia sua a Solo Restituit Eidem Dieavit K. Decemb. L. Tupilio Dextro M. Maccio Rufo Cos. Euthycus Ser. Peragendum Curavit But we cannot conclude with certainty where this other Temple stood yet many agree that t was called Hercules Saxanus in respect t was built with stone differing from the other greater Temple just as the Milanesi called one Hercules in Pietra from the scituation of that Church in a stony place near them Upon the stone ariseth a certain antient round Fabrick without covering built wiâ—…h marble in rare architecture of much esteem which possibly might be the Temple of Hercules Saxanus t is near the Cataracts which augments this suspicion for that the Antients usually placed their Temples consecrate to Hercules near waters long ports and violent falls of waters to the end that Hercules by them esteemed the Protector of the firm Land might cause the water to continue in its limits and not infest the country with inundations the which Statius clearly shewsin the 11th Book of woods speaking of the Villa 〈◊〉 of his Pollius which stood on the sea shore near a port with a Temple of Hercules and another of Neptune neare it whose verses now take Ante domum tumidae moderator caerulus undae Excubat innocui custos laris Hujus amico Spumant Templa salo foelicia jura tuetur Alcides gaudet gemino sub nomine portus Hic servat terras hic saevis fluctibus obstat He feigns also in his third book that Hercules having layed aside his arms laboured much in preparing the foundations of his Temple in that place and with great strength prepaâ—…ed the instruments for digging the earth for thus the Pagans or Gentiles beleived viz that Hercules during his life went through the world operating for the publick good of Mankind what ever was difficult or laborious to be effected as not only in the taming and killing of Monsters â—…emoving Tyrants reducing unjust Lords to the terms and conditions of Justice and chastising the bad and evil ones But also in building of Castles and Cities in desert places ports and securities for shipping on dangerous shores reducing bad and irksome waies into good changing the chanels of damnifying Rivers breaking the course of the waters where requisite for preservatioÌ„ of the firm Land setling peace between disagreeing nations with just Laws opening the method way of dealing and negotiating between people far eloigned from one another and insum reducing into a state of civility such as were wilde and fierce wherefore they built him Temples created him a God and devoutly honoured him giving him several surnames according to the diversity of the places where they adored him or the quality of the benefits which the people held they received from him or according to some great work which they supposed he had done Whence the western parts of the world had Hercules Gaditani when on the north side of the straight called of old Fretum Herculeum was Mount Calpe on the South
Sea this fish bears a great price in May or June as also of the sword fish particularly at Messina which t is written they cannot take unlesse they speak Greek and to say no more both the Seas and the Rivers abound with all sorts of excellent fish They have also in divers places many baths of hot cool sulphurous and other sorts of water usefull and advantagious in several Infirmities but those are in the River Sen◅ntina near the Cities Sacra and Himera are salt and un wholsome to drink We will not speak of the Fountains of sweet water that are found over all Sicilia and many Rivolets accommodated as well for the life of Man as the enriching their Lands by the overflowing And to speak in brief this Island is not at all inferiour to any other Province either for its fatnesse or abundance but somewhat exceeds Italy in the excellency of their grain saffron honey Beasts skins and other sustenance for the life of Man in so much that Cicero not improperly called it the Granary of the Romans and Homer said that all things grew there of their own accord and therefore calls it the Isle of the Sun Sicilia is likewise admirable for the fame of those things which told exceed our beleef as the Mount Etna Mongibello who sending forth continual fires from its bowels hath not withstanding its head on that part where the fire issues deeply covered in snow to the midst of Summer Not far from Agrigento or Gergento is the Territory Matharuca which with assidu al vomiting of divers veins of waters sends forth a certain Ash coloured Earth and at certain times casting out an incredible Mass of that Earth the one and the other Fields may be heard to roar In Menenino is the Lake Nastia called by Pliny ◅fintia where in three eddies you behold boyling water which alwaies gurgles with an egregious stink and somtimes spues up flames of fire hither antiently resorted all such as through their superstition were to be sworn to any thing It hath likewise in sundry other places divers other Fountains of admirable Qualities and nature for an ample account whereof the reader is referred to Thomaso Fazellio to the end we may abridge our relation here Sicily was inhabited by the Cyclopes which is verified besides what Authors affirm by the bodies of immense bignesse and heigth which in our daies are seen in the Grots or Caves Those Cyclopes being monsters of Men or Gyants whom the Sicani succeeded and them the Siculi or Sicilians Then the Trojans the Candiots the Phenici the Calcidonians the Corinthians and other Greeks the Zanclei the Guidii the Sarasini the Normans the Lombards the Swedes the Germans the French the Arragonians the Spaniards the Catalonians the Genouans and at length many Pisans Lucchesians Bolognians and Florentines all which people at several times inhabited divers parts of this Island untill Charls the fifth Emperor took Corona and after a little time leaving it to the Turks all those Greeks that dwelt there transported themselves into Sicilia The People are of an acute and quick wit noble in their inventions and industrious by nature and said to be of three tongues for their velocity in speech wherein their expressions proceed with much grace to facetiousnesse and quicknesse they are held loquacious beyond measure whence the Antients borrowed the proverb Gerrae Siculae the Sicilian bablings Antient writers attribute the following things to the invention of the Sicilians the art of Oratory the Bucolick or pastoral verse dyall making the Catapul◅e a warlike engine the illustrating of Pictures the Art of Barbing the use of skins of wilde beasts and Ryme They are by nature suspectfull envious evil spoken facil to speak Villany and prone to revenge but industrious subtle flatterers of Princes and studious of Tyranny as saies Orosie which at this day does not so generally appear They are more covetous of their own commodities or conveniences then of the publiques and reflecting on the abundancy of the Countrey sloathfull and without industry Antiently their tables were so splendidly furnished that it became a Proverb among the Greeks but now they follow the frugality of Italy They are valiant in warrs and of uncorruptible faith to their King beyond the custōme of the Greeks they are patient but provoked they leap into extream fury They speak the Italian Language but roughly and without the least sweetnesse and in their habits and other customes live after the manner of the Italians MESSINA THat City of Sicilia that is most illustrious is Messina built with the ruines and reliques of the City Zancla at a thousand paces distance from hence came Dicearchus the hearer of Aristotle the most celebrious Peripatetick Geometritian and eloquent Oratour who wrote many books whereof Fazellius makes mention and Ibicus the Historian and the Lyrick Poet and in the memory of our Fathers times lived there Cola the Fish born at Catana who leaving human society consumed the best part of his life among the fish in the sea of Messina whence he acquired the nick name of fish Hence came also Giovanni Gatto of the preaching order a Philosopher Divine and famous Mathematician who read in Florence Bologna and Ferrara and was afterwards elected Bishop of Catano and lastly hence came Gio Andrea Mercurio a most worthy Cardinal of the holy Church Here stood the City Taurominio which gave birth according to Pausanias to Tisandro Son of Cleocrito who four times overcame in the Olympick Games and as many times in the Pythick and Timeus the historian son of Andromacus who wrote of the transactions in Sicilia and Italy and of the Theban warrs CATANA IT hath also the City Catana one part whereof is washed by the Sea and the other extends it self to the foot of the Mountains where antiently was the Sepulture or burying place for famous and illustrious persons as of Stesicorus the Poet Himerese Xenofane the Philosopher and of two young Brothers Anapia and Anfinomo who the fire of AEtna raging and burning all the Countrey round took up upon their shoulders the one his Father the other his Mother but being disabled by the weight to proceed with speed and the fire overtaking them and at their very feet yet lost not their magnan imity and courage but when almost in despair the fire on a suddain divided it self before them and so they miraculously escaped safe In this City is a Colledge for all the sciences but most particularly they here study the Civil and Canon Laws and from her have issued many illustrious persons as Santa Agatha which the Palermitans will call of their City a Virgin Martyr who under Quintiano in the yeer of our salvation 152 suffered Martyrdome for Christ and Carondo the Philosopher and Legislator and he that was reputed the great Magus Diodorus or Liodorus Hence came also Nicolo Todisco called the Abbot or Panormitano the great Cnnonist and Cardinal who wrote so many books of the Canon Laws
Pollux and Helena ravished by Paris of the other Castor and Clytemnestra Thence the hill a pleasant descent is reduced into four long Piazzaes and so levelled contains before the front of the palace four great and spatious gardens into each of which at each end and in the middle three pair of stone stairs artificially composed conduct by a facile descent whose sides are bathed by divers purling streams running towards their Lakes Every garden is divided in its orders hath places to sit in and fair collumnes erected in divers parts so that such as go walking from one part to another through places and passages covered over with leaves and vines and other verts alwaies flourishing enjoy a most beautifull prospect and no less sweet odours from the circumjacent flowers which make a pompous shew In the appartments growes fresh grasse which with the flowers by their variety wonderfully entertain the eye and fancy of whoever regard them nor can any satiate himself in the view of those infinite and wonderfull statues pillars Fountains and other objects there presenting themselves The passage from the Piazza before the Palace on the right hand leads through divers walks trees and small groves wherein are placed several Fountains as that of Tothyde that of AEsculapius that of Nigga that of Aretusa and Pandora and that of Pomona and Flora. In the descent into the first garden shews it self the Colossus of Pegasus in Pamosso a horse feigned to have wings under whose shadow a fair Fountain casteth up her waters very high and in the wood rocks is a Cavern and near them a statue of Venus Bacchus near which is a Lake into which some rivolets run among rocks with a murmuring noise between two Colossus one of the Sibilla Tiburtina the other of Melicerta the son of Athamas and Ino whom the Gentiles did honour for one of the Gods of the Sea Below which lye the statues of the Rivers Aniene and Herculano conjoined to certain vessels out of which some waters run into the Lake as also out of the Urns round which stand ten Nymphs In the midst are two Grotts the one of the Sibilla Tiburtina the other of Diana the Goddesse of the woods both which are adorned with fountains statues Curral mother of Pearl and a pavement exactly wrought with mosaick work On the other side of the garden you have a fair prospect of Rome in a semicircle round which appear her most memorable Fabricks and in the midst sits Rome in the habit of a warlike Goddesse between her seaven hills this statue is of marble bigger then a man in shape of a Virgin in a short girt coat with naked hands military buskins and a sword hanging in a belt from the right shoulder Her head is covered with a murrion in her right hand she holds a spear in the left a shield she sits as aforesaid in the midst of her wonders in the City and on every side appear her sacred Fabricks as the Pantheon the Capitolian Temples the Circs the Theatres the Amphitheatres the Collumnes the Obelisks the Mauseoli the Arches Triumphant the Pyramides the Acqueducts the Baths the River Tyber with the wolf and Twin Brothers pouring water into the City out of an urn in the midst of which running waters riseth an Island cut in the shape of a ship which bears on the main yard an Obelisk and the ship seems to be laden with these four Temples the Temple of AEsculapius in the poope and those of Jupiter Berecinta and Faustus it beares in the prow Thence descending to the lower garden you find on the left hand in a semy circle called the great a green grove placed between certain Rocks amid which run fountains this may be called the residence for birds for on the arms of the trees you see many images of little birds singing more sweetly then the natural who clap their wings as if alive receiving their motion from the aire and the waters with miraculous artifice by means of certain little reeds hid in the armes of the trees sometimes to please the spectators they will make a screech owle to appear and then on a suddain as if the birds were sensible of fear they are all silent but that again withdrawn in an instant they all begin their notes and sing most melodiously In the middle of this garden is a round standing water Lake and in it a capacious vessel and a fountain named from the Dragons which vomit out of their throats great store of waters having trumpets in their hands which also emit plentifull waters with a horrid noise imitating the sound of the trumpet On the right hand lies the Grotto of Nature adorned with many statues and in it an Organ with fair pipes the which perform an harmonious consort of various and artificial musick by the motion of the waters The next garden is not only beautifyed by the fair fountains but by the quantity of Swans and fish preserved in their several stations separated with rare artifice In the three greater fountains are certain Beacons called Sudanti and other boundaries round them which cast water very high in such quantities that in their fall they seem natural showers refreshing the air and cooling the earth making noise of waters in their fall as if the winds were high sprinkling and washing at a good distance In the midst of these conserves you see the effigies of the great Father Oceanus placed in a semicircle like a Theatre and in the middle thereof a marble chariot like that of the Venus Marina drawn by foure Sea horses on which sits a great Neptune seeming to threaten with his Trident. Lastly descending into the last garden near the rock you find in one part a Fountain of Triton and on the other a Fountain of Venus Clonina and in the rest of the level besides the Pescheries four Labyrinths difficult enough for any one to get out of that 's once in placed one by another in foure compartments amidst forreign plants The entrance and outlet of these gardens are embellisht with great Fabricks built of Tiburtine stone with great expence Thus much concerning the Villa of Tivoli of Cardinal Hippolito E stense The noble sepulchre of Cardinal Hippolito da Este in the Church will recompence your pains in the sight of it being composed with marble of various colours on it stands a great white marble statue of the said Cardinal of great cost and fair appearance The Castle also affords many worthy objects but what is more considerable is the precipitous descent of the River which falls with such noise and fury from high cliffs of mountains that for the most part its vapours render the air foggie and many times at a distance there seem to hang celestial rainbowes cloudes being at most times over it This River infamed by the writings of the antient takes its rise at the mountain of the Trebani and runs into three noble Lakes which give name to the adjacent castle called